Genmab Reports Strong Q3 2025 Results with Key Pipeline Advances and $8 Billion Merus Acquisition
Key Insights
Genmab achieved 21% revenue growth to $2.66 billion in the first nine months of 2025, driven primarily by increased DARZALEX and Kesimpta royalties.
The FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to Rina-S for advanced endometrial cancer (search), while epcoritamab's Phase 3 trial met dual primary endpoints in follicular lymphoma (search).
The company announced an $8 billion all-cash acquisition of Merus to add petosemtamab, a late-stage asset with two BTDs, to its portfolio.
Genmab delivered robust financial performance in the third quarter of 2025 while advancing its late-stage pipeline through key regulatory milestones and a transformative acquisition. The Danish biotechnology company reported revenue of $2.66 billion for the first nine months of 2025, representing a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Strong Commercial Performance Drives Growth
The revenue increase of $464 million was primarily driven by higher royalties from DARZALEX and Kesimpta, achieved through collaborations with Johnson & Johnson and Novartis, respectively, along with increased EPKINLY net product sales. Royalty revenue reached $2.22 billion in the first nine months of 2025, up 23% from $1.80 billion in the prior year period.
DARZALEX (daratumumab) net sales, including the subcutaneous formulation DARZALEX FASPRO, totaled $10.45 billion in the first nine months of 2025 compared to $8.59 billion in 2024, representing a substantial increase of $1.86 billion or 22%. Operating profit surged to $1.007 billion from $662 million in the previous year, despite increased costs of $119 million related to pipeline expansion and organizational development.
Pipeline Milestones Signal Future Growth
Genmab achieved significant regulatory progress with its late-stage assets during the quarter. The FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to Rina-S in advanced endometrial cancer (search), providing an accelerated development pathway for this promising therapeutic candidate.
Epcoritamab demonstrated strong clinical efficacy in the Phase 3 EPCORE FL-1 trial, meeting dual primary endpoints of overall response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) with statistically significant and clinically meaningful differences in both endpoints. The FDA subsequently granted priority review of the supplemental Biologics License Application for epcoritamab plus rituximab and lenalidomide (R2) in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (search).
Strategic Acquisition Expands Portfolio
In a major strategic move, Genmab announced its proposed acquisition of Merus N.V. for $97.00 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $8.0 billion. The acquisition will add petosemtamab, a late-stage asset currently in Phase 3 development with two Breakthrough Therapy Designations, to Genmab's portfolio.
"Our proposed acquisition of Merus provides us with the potential to add petosemtamab, a late-stage asset with two BTDs, to our late-stage portfolio," said Jan van de Winkel, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Genmab. "This proposed transaction is expected to meaningfully accelerate our shift to a wholly owned model, driving sustained growth into the next decade and contributing to our evolution into a global biotechnology leader."
The transaction will be funded through a combination of cash on hand and approximately $5.5 billion of non-convertible debt financing, with Morgan Stanley Senior Funding providing the funding commitment. Genmab has commenced a tender offer for 100% of Merus' common shares, with the transaction anticipated to close by early first quarter 2026.
European Market Expansion
The company achieved its first commercial entry into the European market with Tivdak (tisotumab vedotin) now available for prescribing in Germany. This milestone represents a significant step in Genmab's strategy to maximize its approved medicines and reach more patients globally.
Van de Winkel emphasized the company's strategic execution: "With robust development plans for both epcoritamab and Rina-S and with Tivdak now available for prescribing in Germany - our first commercial entry into a European market - we continue to execute on our strategic imperatives to accelerate our late-stage pipeline and maximize our approved medicines to reach more patients."
Financial Outlook Maintained
Despite the significant developments and acquisition announcement, Genmab maintained its 2025 financial guidance published on August 7, 2025. The company also implemented changes to its functional and presentation currency from Danish kroner to US dollars, effective January 1, 2025, reflecting its increasingly global operations.