Merck & Co. is intensifying its focus on strategic acquisitions, with CEO Rob Davis confirming the pharmaceutical giant's readiness to pursue deals valued up to $15 billion. This aggressive business development strategy comes as the company prepares for the patent expiration of its flagship cancer immunotherapy drug Keytruda in 2028.
"We continue to believe we need more and we will continue to prioritize business development," Davis stated during a fourth quarter earnings call. He emphasized the company's continued interest in deals comparable to their recent acquisitions of Prometheus and Acceleron, provided they can identify valuable assets.
The urgency behind Merck's dealmaking strategy is clear: Keytruda, which generated over $25 billion in sales last year, represents approximately half of the company's pharmaceutical revenue. The impending patent cliff in 2028 has spurred the company to take decisive action to diversify its portfolio and secure future revenue streams.
Recent Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships
Merck has already demonstrated its commitment to portfolio expansion through several significant deals. These include:
- An $11 billion acquisition of Acceleron in 2021
- A $10.8 billion takeover of Prometheus Biosciences in the previous year
- A potentially transformative cancer drug licensing agreement with Daiichi Sankyo, valued at up to $22 billion
Pipeline Development and Future Revenue Projections
The company's development pipeline, focused on cancer, immune, and cardiac diseases, is projected to generate more than $35 billion in sales by the mid-2030s. Key assets include sotatercept, a treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension acquired through Acceleron, and tulisokibart, an inflammatory bowel disease medicine from Prometheus Biosciences.
Innovative Strategies for Keytruda
Merck is actively working to maintain its market position through innovation, particularly with the development of a subcutaneous formulation of Keytruda to replace the current intravenous administration. Dean Li, Merck's research chief, emphasized the market demand for this innovation, stating, "The subcutaneous [Keytruda] is an innovation that is going to be demanded, and is being demanded, by the field."
The company plans to implement a strategic pricing approach for the subcutaneous formulation, positioning it competitively against future generic versions. CEO Davis indicated that pricing will be structured to maximize volume, with rates comparable to generic versions plus a manageable premium.
Financial Performance and Outlook
Merck reported robust financial results for 2023, with total sales reaching $60.1 billion, representing a 1% increase from the previous year. Excluding COVID-19 antiviral Lagevrio, the company achieved 9% growth. Looking ahead, Merck projects 2024 sales between $62.7 billion and $64.2 billion, reflecting continued confidence in its growth strategy.
