Merck KGaA sales soar
pharmafile | February 21, 2011 | News story | Sales and Marketing | 2010 pharma results, Cladribine, Merck KGaA, Merck Serono, Movectro
Merck KGaA’s sales jumped last year by nearly a fifth as recent acquisitions and strong growth on core products set the German company up for a good 2011.
Merck saw an impressive jump of 70% in profits of the back of sales that reached a record high of 9.3 billion euros.
The company’s pharma division Merck Serono outperformed its peers, posting an 8.3% increase in sales.
Pharma revenue was bolstered by a strong showing from multiple sclerosis treatment Rebif, up 8.6% to 1.7 billion euro ($2.3 billion) and cancer drug Erbitux (cetuximab), which increased by 18% to 820 million euro.
The $7 billion acquisition of processing equipment specialist Millipore also helped the company with additional sales, and accounted for 8.4% of Merck’s total revenue increase.
But it has not all been good news for Merck. The company last week pulled its licence application for MS treatment Movectro (cladribine) from the EU after the CHMP twice failed to green light the drug for EMA approval.
Merck still awaits the FDA’s final decision on the potential blockbuster, which is due on 28 February, but the company has had an equally bumpy ride with the US regulator.
The company’s 2011 guidance shows Movectro’s importance to Merck Serono, which predicts revenues this year will rise by 5-10% if the FDA approves the drug. Without a US approval the company estimates just 1-6% revenue growth.
Last year Merck also saw cardiovascular drug Concor, a core product for the firm, drop by over 5% to 373 million euro as it succumbs to generic pressures.
Dr Karl-Ludwig Kley, chairman of Merck, said: “The year 2010 was a transformational year for Merck with the acquisition of Millipore adding new capabilities, scale and innovative products, in line with our long-term strategy.
“Financially, 2010 exceeded expectations and raised our revenue and profitability profile.”
Kley said that with Millipore included for the full year, he forecasts Group 2011 sales to grow by 13% to 18 per cent.
Ben Adams
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