Merck's Gardasil Shot Challenges To Continue, Analysts Optimistic For Newly Approved Sotatercept For Rare Lung Disease

On Thursday, Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK) reported third-quarter sales of $16.66 billion, up 4% year over year, beating the consensus of $16.47 billion.

Merck reported a decline of 11% in sales of Gardasil to $2.31 billion, a vaccine that prevents cancer from HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., due to lower demand in China, partially offset by higher sales in the U.S., driven by public-sector buying patterns, higher pricing and demand, and higher demand in most international regions.

Beyond Gardasil, Goldman Sachs highlights a solid lineup of positives for Merck, including robust performance from key franchises like Keytruda and promising momentum from both commercial products like Winrevair and Capvaxive and development-stage innovations such as clesrovimab and tulisokobart.

Merck's blockbuster cancer ...