Results Demonstrate Strong Momentum Across Business
Third-Quarter 2021 Worldwide Sales Were $13.2 Billion, 20% Above Third-Quarter 2020; Excluding the Impact from Foreign Exchange, Sales Grew 19% Reflecting Strong Demand for the Company's Robust Portfolio:
- KEYTRUDA Sales Grew 22% to $4.5 Billion; Excluding the Impact from Foreign Exchange, Sales Grew 21%
- GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 Sales Grew 68% to $2.0 Billion; Excluding the Impact from Foreign Exchange, Sales Grew 63%
- Animal Health Sales Grew 16% to $1.4 Billion; Excluding the Impact from Foreign Exchange, Sales Grew 14%
Third-Quarter 2021 GAAP EPS from Continuing Operations Was $1.80; Third-Quarter 2021 Non-GAAP EPS from Continuing Operations Was $1.75
Bolstered Innovation with Agreement to Acquire Acceleron Pharma, Complementing and Expanding Merck's Cardiovascular Pipeline
Progressed Regulatory Applications, Secured Multiple Regulatory Approvals, and Saw Advancement of Key Government Recommendations, Including:
- Submission of Emergency Use Authorization Application to FDA for Molnupiravir, an Investigational Oral Antiviral Medicine for the Treatment of At-Risk Patients with Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19
- FDA Approval of WELIREG for the Treatment of Adult Patients with Certain Types of Von Hippel-Lindau Disease-Associated Tumors
- FDA Approval of KEYTRUDA in Combination with Lenvima for the First-Line Treatment of Adult Patients with Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma
- FDA Approval of KEYTRUDA in Combination with Chemotherapy, with or Without Bevacizumab, for the Treatment of Certain Patients with Persistent, Recurrent or Metastatic Cervical Cancer
- U.S. CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Vote to Provisionally Recommend Vaccination with a Sequential Regimen of VAXNEUVANCE Followed by PNEUMOVAX 23 as an Option both for Adults 65 Years and Older and for Adults Ages 19 to 64 with Certain Underlying Medical Conditions
2021 Financial Outlook:
- Raises and Narrows Estimated Full-Year 2021 Revenue Range to Be Between $47.4 Billion and $47.9 Billion, Including a Positive Impact from Foreign Exchange of Approximately 1.5%; Now Expects Full-Year 2021 Sales Growth of 14% to 15%
- Raises and Narrows Full-Year 2021 GAAP EPS to be Between $4.71 and $4.76; Raises and Narrows Full-Year 2021 Non-GAAP EPS to be Between $5.65 and $5.70, Including a Positive Impact from Foreign Exchange of Approximately 2%

Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2021.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211028005322/en/

"Merck delivered another strong quarter with positive momentum across our business and meaningful progress across our pipeline. Our teams continued to excel as we focus on evolving our operations, while driving innovations in our labs that exemplify the best of Merck science," said Robert M. Davis, chief executive officer and president, Merck. "We achieved notable clinical milestones in the key areas of oncology and COVID-19, including positive Phase 3 results for molnupiravir. We recently announced our proposed acquisition of Acceleron, which will strengthen our cardiovascular portfolio with complementary, cutting-edge science and an exciting late-stage candidate. Looking ahead, we remain focused on building more momentum, delivering on our mission of saving and improving lives and continuing to expand our portfolio and pipeline for long-term success and sustainable value creation."

Financial Summary – Continuing Operations

Financial information presented in this release reflects Merck's results on a continuing operations basis, which excludes Organon & Co., that was spun-off on June 2, 2021.

$ in millions, except EPS amounts	Third Quarter
$ in millions, except EPS amounts	2021	2020		Change	Change Ex- Exchange
Sales	$13,154	$10,929		20%	19%
GAAP net income from continuing operations¹	4,567	2,324		97%	94%
Non-GAAP net income that excludes certain items^1,2*	4,439	3,486		27%	26%
GAAP EPS from continuing operations	1.80	0.92		96%	93%
Non-GAAP EPS that excludes certain items²*	1.75	1.37		28%	26%
			*Refer to table on page 13.

GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings per share assuming dilution (EPS) was $1.80 for the third quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP EPS of $1.75 for the third quarter of 2021 excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, restructuring costs, income and losses from investments in equity securities and certain other items. Year-to-date results can be found in the attached tables.

Strong Performance Across the Business

Merck achieved strong performance across its key pillars of Oncology, Vaccines, and Animal Health, led by highly innovative products, including KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), Lynparza (olaparib), Lenvima (lenvatinib), GARDASIL [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant], GARDASIL 9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant) and the BRAVECTO (fluralaner) line of products. In addition, BRIDION (sugammadex) injection 100 mg/mL saw strong growth in the quarter. The company continues to benefit from strong underlying demand for its products, as well as broad commercial scale and improved patient access to its innovative medicines across the globe.

Merck Reported Positive Phase 3 Results for Molnupiravir, an Investigational Oral Antiviral COVID-19 Treatment

Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics announced positive results from the interim analysis of the Phase 3 MOVe-OUT trial of investigational oral antiviral therapeutic molnupiravir (MK-4482/EIDD-2801) in at-risk, non-hospitalized adult patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. The company announced on Oct. 11, 2021, the submission of an application for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based on these findings and plans to submit marketing applications to other regulatory bodies worldwide. If authorized or approved, Merck anticipates that molnupiravir can become an important treatment as part of the global effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. On Oct. 14, 2021, the FDA announced a Nov. 30, 2021, meeting of its Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee to discuss the available data supporting the use of molnupiravir to treat at-risk adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. On Oct. 25, 2021, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) initiated a rolling review for molnupiravir for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults. Merck plans to work with the EMA's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) to complete the rolling review process to facilitate initiating the formal review of the Marketing Authorization Application.

Merck is committed to providing timely access to molnupiravir globally, if it is authorized or approved, and plans to implement a tiered pricing approach based on World Bank country income criteria to reflect countries' relative ability to finance their pandemic response and health systems. Merck has entered into non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreements with established generic manufacturers in India for molnupiravir. Additionally, Merck and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) jointly announced the signing of a voluntary licensing agreement to facilitate access to generic molnupiravir, upon local regulatory authorization. These agreements will help expand access to molnupiravir in more than 100 low- and middle-income countries.

Merck has entered into supply and purchase commitments for molnupiravir with several governments worldwide, including Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, the U.K. and the U.S., pending regulatory authorization, and is currently in discussions with other governments. The company expects to produce 10 million courses of treatment by the end of 2021, with at least 20 million additional courses expected to be produced in 2022.

Planned Acquisition of Acceleron Bolsters Innovation and Broadens Cardiovascular Pipeline

Merck announced a definitive agreement and tender offer to acquire Acceleron Pharma Inc. (Acceleron). The planned acquisition complements and strengthens Merck's cardiovascular pipeline with Acceleron's lead therapeutic candidate, sotatercept, a potentially first-in-class therapy in Phase 3 clinical trials for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Merck commenced a tender offer on Oct. 12, 2021, and upon successful completion of the tender offer and receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, Merck, through a subsidiary, will acquire Acceleron for $180 per share in cash for an approximate total equity value of $11.5 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Oncology Program Highlights

Merck continued to advance development programs across its oncology portfolio, anticipating more than 90 potential new indications by 2028, including notable progress for KEYTRUDA, the company's anti-PD-1 therapy; Lynparza, an oral poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor being co-developed and co-commercialized with AstraZeneca; Lenvima, an orally available tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) being co-developed and co-commercialized with Eisai Co., Ltd. (Eisai); and WELIREG (belzutifan), an oral hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha inhibitor (HIF-2α).

Merck announced the following regulatory milestones:
- FDA approval of WELIREG for the treatment of adult patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease who require therapy for associated renal cell carcinoma (RCC), central nervous hemangioblastomas, or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, not requiring immediate surgery based on the open label Study 004 trial. WELIREG is the first HIF-2α inhibitor therapy approved in the U.S. and is currently being evaluated in three Phase 3 studies as monotherapy and in combination with other novel therapies.
- FDA approval of KEYTRUDA in combination with Lenvima for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC. The approval was based on results from the pivotal Phase 3 CLEAR study (KEYNOTE-581/Study 307).
- FDA approval of KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, for the treatment of patients with persistent, recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 (Combined Positive Score [CPS] ≥1) as determined by an FDA-approved test, based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-826 trial.
- FDA priority review for a new supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for KEYTRUDA for the adjuvant treatment of patients with RCC at intermediate-high or high risk of recurrence following nephrectomy (surgical removal of a kidney), or following nephrectomy and resection of metastatic lesions. This sBLA was based on data that demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in disease-free survival compared to placebo from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 trial. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date is Dec. 10, 2021.
- FDA priority review for a new sBLA for KEYTRUDA for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients (12 years and older) with STAGE IIB or IIC melanoma following complete resection, based on results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-716 trial that showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in recurrence-free survival compared to placebo. The PDUFA date is Dec. 4, 2021.
- FDA review of a new sBLA seeking approval for KEYTRUDA as a single agent for the treatment of patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma (EC) that is microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), who have disease progression following prior systemic therapy in any setting and are not candidates for curative surgery or radiation. The application is based on overall response data from Cohorts D and K of the KEYNOTE-158 trial. The PDUFA date is March 28, 2022.
- Positive opinion from the CHMP of the EMA for KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in adults whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) and who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The positive opinion is based on progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) results from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-355 trial.
- European Commission approval of KEYTRUDA, in combination with chemotherapy, for the first-line treatment of locally recurrent unresectable or metastatic TNBC in adults whose tumors express PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) and who have not received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease.
- Positive opinions from the CHMP of the EMA recommending approval of the combination of KEYTRUDA plus Lenvima for two different indications: advanced RCC and advanced or recurrent EC. The positive opinions are based on data from two pivotal Phase 3 trials: CLEAR (KEYNOTE-581/Study 307) evaluating the combination in adult patients with advanced RCC and KEYNOTE-775/Study 309 evaluating the combination in certain patients with advanced or recurrent EC.
- National Medical Products Administration approval in China of KEYTRUDA in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic carcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction. This new indication was granted approval based on OS findings from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-590 trial. KEYTRUDA is now approved for eight indications across five different types of cancer in China.
- Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency approval in Japan of two KEYTRUDA indications. KEYTRUDA was approved for the treatment of patients with PD-L1-positive, hormone receptor-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, inoperable or recurrent breast cancer based on the results of the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-355 trial and for the treatment of patients with unresectable, advanced or recurrent MSI-H colorectal cancer, based on the results of the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-177 trial. With these approvals, KEYTRUDA has 15 authorized uses in Japan, including indications in nine tumor types as well as MSI-H tumors.
Merck provided additional data presentations and updates including:
- Final OS results from the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-355 trial were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2021 demonstrating a 27% reduction in risk of death for patients with metastatic TNBC whose tumors expressed PD-L1 (CPS ≥10) using first-line treatment of KEYTRUDA in combination with chemotherapy (paclitaxel, nab-paclitaxel or gemcitabine/carboplatin) as compared to chemotherapy alone.
- Positive results from the Phase 3 PROpel trial demonstrating superior radiographic progression-free survival with Lynparza in combination with abiraterone and prednisone versus abiraterone plus prednisone as a first-line treatment for men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with or without homologous recombination repair gene mutations.

Other Highlights

Vaccines

Merck announced positive topline results from the pivotal Phase 3 PNEU-PED (V114-029) study evaluating the immunogenicity, safety and tolerability of VAXNEUVANCE (Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine) in healthy infants enrolled between 42-90 days of age.
Merck announced that the CHMP of the EMA has recommended the approval of VAXNEUVANCE for active immunization for the prevention of invasive disease and pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in individuals 18 years of age and older. The CHMP recommendation will now be reviewed by the European Commission for marketing authorization in the EU, and a final decision is expected by the end of the year.
Merck announced the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to provisionally recommend vaccination either with a sequential regimen of VAXNEUVANCE followed by PNEUMOVAX 23 (Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent), or with a single dose of 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, for both adults 65 years and older and for adults ages 19 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions or other risk factors. Final recommendations are subject to review by the director of the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services, and will become official when published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

Infectious Diseases

Merck announced top-line results from two pivotal Phase 3 trials of the investigational, once-daily oral fixed dose combination pill of doravirine/islatravir in adults with HIV-1 infection who are virologically suppressed on different antiretroviral therapy regimens (ILLUMINATE SWITCH A) or bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir (ILLUMINATE SWITCH B).
Merck anticipates the initiation of a phased resupply of ZERBAXA (ceftolozane and tazobactam) for injection beginning with the U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2021 following a voluntary recall in 2020. Additionally, the FDA has accepted for review two supplemental New Drug Applications for ZERBAXA in pediatric complicated urinary tract infections and complicated intra-abdominal infections with PDUFA dates of April 21, 2022, and May 2, 2022, respectively.

Third-Quarter Revenue Performance

The following table reflects sales of the company's top pharmaceutical products, as well as sales of Animal Health products.

$ in millions	Third Quarter
	2021	2020	Change	Change Ex- Exchange
Total Sales	$13,154	$10,929	20%	19%
Pharmaceutical	11,496	9,714	18%	17%
KEYTRUDA	4,534	3,715	22%	21%
GARDASIL / GARDASIL 9	1,993	1,187	68%	63%
JANUVIA / JANUMET	1,339	1,327	1%	0%
PROQUAD, M-M-R II and VARIVAX	661	576	15%	14%
BRIDION	369	320	16%	15%
PNEUMOVAX 23	277	375	-26%	-26%
Lynparza* ROTATEQ	246 227	196 210	25% 8%	25% 7%
SIMPONI	203	209	-3%	-5%
ISENTRESS / ISENTRESS HD Lenvima*	189 188	205 142	-8% 32%	-7% 30%
Animal Health	1,417	1,220	16%	14%
Livestock	864	758	14%	12%
Companion Animals	553	462	20%	18%
Other Revenues**	241	(5)	>100%	>100%
Alliance revenue for this product represents Merck's share of profits, which are product sales net of cost of sales and commercialization costs. *Other revenues are comprised primarily of third-party manufacturing sales and miscellaneous corporate revenues, including revenue-hedging activities. Other revenues in the third quarter of 2021 include $135 million related to the receipt of a milestone payment for an out-licensed product.

Pharmaceutical Revenue

Third-quarter pharmaceutical sales increased 18% to $11.5 billion, compared to the third quarter of 2020. Excluding the favorable effect of foreign exchange, sales grew by 17%, reflecting strength in the company's oncology and vaccine businesses.

Growth in oncology was largely driven by higher sales of KEYTRUDA, which rose 22% to $4.5 billion in the quarter. Global sales growth of KEYTRUDA reflects continued strong momentum from the non-small-cell lung cancer indications as well as uptake in other indications, including RCC, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, TNBC and MSI-H cancers. Also contributing to higher sales in oncology was a 25% increase in Lynparza alliance revenue, primarily reflecting continued uptake in the United States and Europe, as well as a 32% increase in Lenvima alliance revenue, driven primarily by higher demand in the United States and China.

Growth in vaccines for the third quarter was primarily driven by higher combined sales of GARDASIL and GARDASIL 9, vaccines to prevent certain cancers and other diseases caused by HPV. Third-quarter 2021 GARDASIL/GARDASIL 9 sales grew 68% to $2.0 billion, primarily driven by strong global demand, particularly in China, which also benefitted from increased supply, as well as in the United States, which also benefitted from the timing of public sector purchases.

Combined sales of pediatric vaccines VARIVAX (Varicella Virus Vaccine Live), a vaccine to help prevent chickenpox; PROQUAD (Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella Virus Vaccine Live), a combination vaccine to help protect against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella; and M-M-R II (Measles, Mumps and Rubella Virus Vaccine Live), a vaccine to help prevent measles, mumps and rubella, also contributed to higher sales in vaccines, increasing by 15% to $661 million primarily driven by the ongoing recovery of wellness visits in the United States.

Vaccine performance was negatively affected by lower sales of PNEUMOVAX 23, a vaccine to help prevent pneumococcal disease, which declined 26% to $277 million primarily driven by lower demand in the United States reflecting prioritization of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Performance in hospital acute care reflects the suspension of sales of ZERBAXA for injection, a combination cephalosporin antibacterial and beta-lactamase inhibitor for the treatment of adults with certain bacterial infections, following a product recall in the fourth quarter of 2020. This unfavorability was partially offset by higher demand globally for BRIDION injection 100 mg/mL, a medicine for the reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium bromide or vecuronium bromide in adults and pediatric patients aged 2 years and older undergoing surgery, which increased 16% to $369 million due in part to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic recovery, and growth in DIFICID (fidaxomicin), a macrolide antibacterial drug for treatment of Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea in adults and pediatric patients aged 6 months and older, in the United States.

Animal Health Revenue

Animal Health sales totaled $1.4 billion for the third quarter of 2021, an increase of 16% compared with the third quarter of 2020. Excluding the favorable effect from foreign exchange, Animal Health sales increased 14%, reflecting growth across geographies and species, including the biopharmaceutical portfolio and the Animal Health Intelligence portfolio. Sales growth in livestock was primarily driven by higher demand globally for ruminant products, including Animal Health Intelligence products. Sales growth in companion animal was primarily driven by the BRAVECTO parasiticide line of products, as well as vaccines.

Third-Quarter Expense, EPS and Related Information

The tables below present selected expense information.

$ in millions Third-Quarter 2021	GAAP	Acquisition- and Divestiture- Related Costs³	Restructuring Costs	(Income) Loss from Investments in Equity Securities	Certain Other Items	Non- GAAP²
Cost of sales	$3,450	$346	$48	$-	$-	$3,056
Selling, general and administrative	2,336	61	5	-	-	2,270
Research and development	2,445	48	8	-	(87)	2,476
Restructuring costs	107	-	107	-	-	-
Other (income) expense, net	(450)	(10)	-	(684)	-	244
Third-Quarter 2020
Cost of sales	$3,013	$403	$38	$-	$-	$2,572
Selling, general and administrative	2,060	25	15	-	-	2,020
Research and development	3,349	19	19	-	1,082	2,229
Restructuring costs	113	-	113	-	-	-
Other (income) expense, net	(312)	-	-	(346)	(1)	35

GAAP Expense, EPS and Related Information

Gross margin was 73.8% for the third quarter of 2021 compared to 72.4% for the third quarter of 2020. The increase primarily reflects the favorable effects of product mix and lower acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, partially offset by higher manufacturing costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $2.3 billion in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of 13% compared to the third quarter of 2020. The increase primarily reflects higher administrative costs, increased promotional expenses in support of the company's growth pillars, higher acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, as well as the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange.

Research and development expenses were $2.4 billion in the third quarter of 2021 compared with $3.3 billion in the third quarter of 2020. The decrease was primarily driven by lower upfront payments related to collaborations and license agreements, partially offset by higher oncology and COVID-19 clinical development spending, as well as increased investment in discovery research and early drug development.

Other (income) expense, net, was $450 million of income in the third quarter of 2021 compared to $312 million of income in the third quarter of 2020, primarily reflecting higher income from investments in equity securities, net, partially offset by higher pension settlement costs.

The effective income tax rate was 13.2% for the third quarter of 2021, reflecting the beneficial impact of the settlement of a foreign tax matter.

GAAP EPS was $1.80 for the third quarter of 2021 compared with $0.92 for the third quarter of 2020.

Non-GAAP Expense, EPS and Related Information

Non-GAAP gross margin was 76.8% for the third quarter of 2021 compared to 76.5% for the third quarter of 2020. The increase in non-GAAP gross margin primarily reflects the favorable effect of product mix, partially offset by higher manufacturing costs.

Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses were $2.3 billion in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of 12% compared to the third quarter of 2020. The increase primarily reflects higher administrative costs, increased promotional expenses in support of the company's growth pillars, as well as the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange.

Non-GAAP R&D expenses were $2.5 billion in the third quarter of 2021, an 11% increase compared to the third quarter of 2020. The increase primarily reflects higher oncology and COVID-19 clinical development spending, as well as increased investment in discovery research and early drug development.

Non-GAAP other (income) expense, net, was $244 million of expense in the third quarter of 2021 compared to $35 million of expense in the third quarter of 2020, primarily reflecting higher pension settlement costs.

The non-GAAP effective income tax rate was 13.0% for the third quarter of 2021, reflecting the beneficial impact of the settlement of a foreign tax matter.

Non-GAAP EPS was $1.75 for the third quarter of 2021 compared with $1.37 for the third quarter of 2020.

A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net income and EPS is provided in the table that follows.

$ in millions, except EPS amounts	Third Quarter
	2021	2020
EPS
GAAP EPS	$1.80	$0.92
Difference	(0.05)	0.45
Non-GAAP EPS that excludes items listed below²	$1.75	$1.37

Net Income
GAAP net income¹	$4,567	$2,324
Difference	(128)	1,162
Non-GAAP net income that excludes items listed below^1,2	$4,439	$3,486

Decrease (Increase) in Net Income Due to Excluded Items:
Acquisition- and divestiture-related costs³	$445	$447
Restructuring costs	168	185
(Income) loss from investments in equity securities	(684)	(346)
Charges for acquisitions and collaborations⁴	-	1,082
Other	(87)	(1)
Net decrease (increase) in income before taxes	(158)	1,367
Income tax (benefit) expense⁵	30	(205)
Decrease (increase) in net income	$(128)	$1,162

Financial Outlook

Merck continues to experience strong global underlying demand across its business. Consequently, Merck is raising and narrowing its full-year estimated ranges for revenue and EPS. At mid-October 2021 exchange ranges, Merck now expects sales growth of 14% to 15% in 2021, with full-year 2021 revenue estimated to be between $47.4 billion and $47.9 billion, including a positive impact from foreign exchange of approximately 1.5%.

Merck continues to believe that the global health systems and patients have largely adapted to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and, that while certain negative effects will persist, the trend will continue to improve. Merck continues to estimate that the pandemic will have a net unfavorable impact to 2021 revenues of less than 3%, all of which relates to the pharmaceutical segment.

Merck is raising and narrowing its full-year 2021 GAAP EPS range to be between $4.71 and $4.76.

Merck is raising and narrowing its non-GAAP EPS range and now expects full-year 2021 to be between $5.65 and $5.70, including a positive impact from foreign exchange of approximately 2%. The non-GAAP range excludes acquisition- and divestiture-related costs, costs related to restructuring programs, income and losses from investments in equity securities, and certain other items. Neither the sales nor the EPS ranges provided above include the impact of the potential launch of Merck's COVID-19 antiviral drug candidate, molnupiravir.

The following table summarizes the company's full-year 2021 financial guidance.

	GAAP	Non-GAAP²
Revenue	$47.4 to $47.9 billion	$47.4 to $47.9 billion*
Operating expenses	Lower than 2020 by a mid-single digit rate	Higher than 2020 by a high-single digit rate
Effective tax rate	14.5% to 15.0%	14.0% to 14.5%
EPS**	$4.71 to $4.76	$5.65 to $5.70
The company does not have any non-GAAP adjustments to revenue. *EPS guidance for 2021 assumes a share count (assuming dilution) of approximately 2.54 billion shares.

A reconciliation of anticipated 2021 GAAP EPS to non-GAAP EPS and the items excluded from non-GAAP EPS are provided in the table below.

	$ in millions, except EPS amounts		Full-Year 2021
	GAAP EPS		$4.71 to $4.76
	Difference		$0.94
	Non-GAAP EPS that excludes items listed below²		$5.65 to $5.70

	Acquisition- and divestiture-related costs Restructuring costs (Income) loss from investments in equity securities		$2,100 700 (2,000)
	Charge for the discontinuation of COVID-19 development programs		225
	Charge for the acquisition of Pandion Therapeutics		1,704
	Other		(29)
	Net decrease (increase) in income before taxes		2,700
	Income tax (benefit) expense⁶		(310)
	Decrease (increase) in net income		$2,390

Earnings Conference Call

Investors, journalists and the general public may access a live audio webcast of the call today at 8:00 a.m. EDT on Merck's website at https://investors.merck.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx. Institutional investors and analysts can participate in the call by dialing (833) 353-0277 or (469) 886-1947 and using ID code number 6768456. Members of the media are invited to monitor the call by dialing (833) 353-0277 or (469) 886-1947 and using ID code number 6768456. Journalists who wish to ask questions are requested to contact a member of Merck's Media Relations team at the conclusion of the call.

About Merck

For over 130 years, Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve lives. We demonstrate our commitment to patients and population health by increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten people and animals – including cancer, infectious diseases such as HIV and Ebola, and emerging animal diseases – as we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA

This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the "company") includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline products, including if the Acceleron acquisition is consummated, Acceleron's pipeline products, that the products will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; uncertainties as to the timing of the offer and subsequent merger with Acceleron; uncertainties as to how many of Acceleron's stockholders will tender their shares in the offer; the risk that competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made; the possibility that various conditions to the consummation of the merger and the offer contemplated thereby may not be satisfied or waived; the effects of disruption from the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the impact of the announcement and pendency of the transactions on Acceleron's business; the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the offer or the merger may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of the global outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19); the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company's patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company's 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC's Internet site (www.sec.gov).

_________________________________

¹		Net income from continuing operations attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
²		Merck is providing certain 2021 and 2020 non-GAAP information that excludes certain items because of the nature of these items and the impact they have on the analysis of underlying business performance and trends. Management believes that providing this information enhances investors' understanding of the company's results and permits investors to understand how management assesses performance. Management uses these measures internally for planning and forecasting purposes and to measure the performance of the company along with other metrics. In addition, senior management's annual compensation is derived in part using non-GAAP pretax income. This information should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for or superior to, information prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a description of the non-GAAP adjustments, see Table 2a attached to this release.
³		Includes expenses for the amortization of intangible assets and purchase accounting adjustments to inventories, intangible asset impairment charges and expense or income related to changes in the estimated fair value measurement of liabilities for contingent consideration. Also includes integration, transaction and certain other costs related to acquisitions and divestitures.
⁴		2020 includes $832 million related to the Seagen collaborations.
⁵		Includes the estimated tax impact on the reconciling items. In addition, the amount for 2020 includes a tax cost of $67 million, representing an adjustment to the tax benefits recorded in conjunction with the 2015 acquisition of Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
⁶		Includes the estimated tax impact on the reconciling items, as well as a $207 million net tax benefit related to the settlement of certain federal income tax matters.

MERCK & CO., INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME - GAAP
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE FIGURES)
(UNAUDITED)
Table 1

On June 2, 2021, Merck completed the spinoff of products from its women's health, biosimilars and established brands businesses into a new, independent, publicly traded company named Organon & Co. (Organon) through a distribution of Organon's publicly traded stock to company shareholders. The historical results of the women's health, biosimilars and established brands businesses that were contributed to Organon in the spin-off are excluded from sales and expenses below and reflected as discontinued operations in the company's Consolidated Statements of Income provided below.

	GAAP						% Change	GAAP						% Change
	GAAP							GAAP
		3Q21			3Q20			Sep YTD 2021			Sep YTD 2020
		3Q21			3Q20			Sep YTD 2021			Sep YTD 2020

Sales	$	13,154		$	10,929		20%	$	35,183		$	30,570		15%

Costs, Expenses and Other
Cost of sales		3,450			3,013		15%		9,752			8,589		14%
Selling, general and administrative		2,336			2,060		13%		6,804			6,336		7%
Research and development		2,445			3,349		-27%		9,177			7,609		21%
Restructuring costs ⁽¹⁾		107			113		-5%		487			265		84%
Other (income) expense, net		(450	)		(312	)	44%		(1,007	)		(637	)	58%
Income from Continuing Operations Before Taxes		5,266			2,706		95%		9,970			8,408		19%
Income Tax Provision		695			380				1,436			1,271
Net Income from Continuing Operations		4,571			2,326		97%		8,534			7,137		20%
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests		4			2				9			1
Net Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.	$	4,567		$	2,324		97%	$	8,525		$	7,136		19%
Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Taxes and Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	$	-		$	617		*	$	766		$	2,025		-62%
Net Income Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.	$	4,567		$	2,941		55%	$	9,291		$	9,161		1%

Basic Earnings per Common Share Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. Common Shareholders:
Income from Continuing Operations	$	1.81		$	0.92		97%	$	3.37		$	2.82		20%
Income from Discontinued Operations	$	-		$	0.24		*	$	0.30		$	0.80		-63%
Net Income	$	1.81		$	1.16		56%	$	3.67		$	3.62		1%

Earnings per Common Share Assuming Dilution Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. Common Shareholders:
Income from Continuing Operations	$	1.80		$	0.92		96%	$	3.36		$	2.81		20%
Income from Discontinued Operations	$	-		$	0.24		*	$	0.30		$	0.80		-63%
Net Income	$	1.80		$	1.16		55%	$	3.66		$	3.61		1%

Average Shares Outstanding		2,530			2,529				2,531			2,530
Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution		2,536			2,538				2,539			2,541
Tax Rate from Continuing Operations ⁽²⁾		13.2	%		14.0	%			14.4	%		15.1	%

* 100% or greater
⁽¹⁾Represents separation and other related costs associated with restructuring activities under the company's formal restructuring programs.

⁽²⁾The effective income tax rate for the first nine months of 2021 reflects the unfavorable impact of a charge for the acquisition of Pandion Therapeutics, Inc. for which no tax benefit was recognized and a net tax benefit of $207 million related to the settlement of certain federal income tax matters.

MERCK & CO., INC.
THIRD QUARTER AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION - CONTINUING OPERATIONS
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE FIGURES)
(UNAUDITED)
Table 2a

The table below reflects a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial information on a continuing operations basis. As Organon results are reflected within discontinued operations, they are excluded from the financial information provided below.

	GAAP		Acquisition and Divestiture- Related Costs ⁽¹⁾		Restructuring Costs ⁽²⁾		(Income) Loss from Investments in Equity Securities		Certain Other Items		Adjustment Subtotal	Non-GAAP
	GAAP		Acquisition and Divestiture- Related Costs ⁽¹⁾		Restructuring Costs ⁽²⁾		(Income) Loss from Investments in Equity Securities		Certain Other Items		Adjustment Subtotal	Non-GAAP
Third Quarter
Cost of sales	$	3,450	346		48						394	$	3,056
Selling, general and administrative		2,336	61		5						66		2,270
Research and development		2,445	48		8				(87)	⁽⁴⁾	(31)		2,476
Restructuring costs		107			107						107		-
Other (income) expense, net		(450)	(10)				(684)				(694)		244
Income From Continuing Operations Before Taxes		5,266	(445)		(168)		684		87		158		5,108
Income Tax Provision (Benefit)		695	(96)	⁽⁵⁾	(26)	⁽⁵⁾	151	⁽⁵⁾	1	⁽⁵⁾	30		665
Net Income from Continuing Operations		4,571	(349)		(142)		533		86		128		4,443
Net Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.		4,567	(349)		(142)		533		86		128		4,439
Earnings per Common Share Assuming Dilution from Continuing Operations	$	1.80	(0.14)		(0.06)		0.21		0.04		0.05	$	1.75

Tax Rate		13.2%											13.0%


Sep YTD
Cost of sales	$	9,752	1,188		113				225	⁽³⁾	1,526	$	8,226
Selling, general and administrative		6,804	96		9						105		6,699
Research and development		9,177	82		21				1,678	⁽⁴⁾	1,781		7,396
Restructuring costs		487			487						487		-
Other (income) expense, net		(1,007)	79				(1,503)				(1,424)		417
Income From Continuing Operations Before Taxes		9,970	(1,445)		(630)		1,503		(1,903)		(2,475)		12,445
Income Tax Provision (Benefit)		1,436	(283)	⁽⁵⁾	(82)	⁽⁵⁾	331	⁽⁵⁾	(259)	⁽⁵⁾	(293)		1,729
Net Income from Continuing Operations		8,534	(1,162)		(548)		1,172		(1,644)		(2,182)		10,716
Net Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.		8,525	(1,162)		(548)		1,172		(1,644)		(2,182)		10,707
Earnings per Common Share Assuming Dilution from Continuing Operations	$	3.36	(0.46)		(0.22)		0.46		(0.65)		(0.86)	$	4.22

Tax Rate		14.4%											13.9%

Only the line items that are affected by non-GAAP adjustments are shown.

Merck is providing certain non-GAAP information that excludes certain items because of the nature of these items and the impact they have on the analysis of underlying business performance and trends. Management believes that providing this information enhances investors' understanding of the company's results as it permits investors to understand how management assesses performance. Management uses these measures internally for planning and forecasting purposes and to measure the performance of the company along with other metrics. In addition, senior management's annual compensation is derived in part using non-GAAP pretax income. This information should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for or superior to, information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

⁽¹⁾Amounts included in cost of sales primarily reflect expenses for the amortization of intangible assets. Amounts included in selling, general and administrative expenses reflect acquisition and divestiture-related costs. Amounts included in research and development expenses primarily reflect expenses for the amortization of intangible assets. Amounts included in other (income) expense, net, for the third quarter and nine months period primarily reflect an increase in the estimated fair value measurement of liabilities for contingent consideration related to the termination of the Sanofi-Pasteur MSD joint venture. Additionally, the first nine months also includes a loss on a forward exchange contract entered into in conjunction with the Organon spinoff. Amount included in other (income) expense, net, for the nine month period is partially offset by royalty income related to the termination of the Sanofi-Pasteur MSD joint venture.

⁽²⁾Amounts primarily include employee separation costs and accelerated depreciation associated with facilities to be closed or divested related to activities under the company's formal restructuring programs.

⁽³⁾ Represents charges for the discontinuation of COVID-19 development programs.

⁽⁴⁾ Amounts included in the third quarter and first nine months reflect a $90 million adjustment to deferred tax assets identified in conjunction with the VelosBio Inc. acquisition. Additionally, the first nine months includes a $1.7 billion charge for the acquisition of Pandion Therapeutics, Inc.

⁽⁵⁾ Represent the estimated tax impacts on the reconciling items based on applying the statutory rate of the originating territory of the non-GAAP adjustments. Certain other items for the nine month period also includes a $207 million net tax benefit related to the settlement of certain federal income tax matters.

MERCK & CO., INC.
FRANCHISE / KEY PRODUCT SALES - CONTINUING OPERATIONS
(AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS)
(UNAUDITED)
Table 3


	2021				2020						3Q		September YTD
	1Q	2Q	3Q	Sep YTD	1Q	2Q	3Q	Sep YTD	4Q	Full Year	Nom %	Ex-Exch %	Nom %	Ex-Exch %

TOTAL SALES ⁽¹⁾	$10,627	$11,402	$13,154	$35,183	$10,288	$9,353	$10,929	$30,570	$10,948	$41,518	20	19	15	13
PHARMACEUTICAL	9,238	9,980	11,496	30,714	8,905	8,178	9,714	26,797	9,813	36,610	18	17	15	12
Oncology
Keytruda	3,899	4,176	4,534	12,609	3,284	3,388	3,715	10,387	3,993	14,380	22	21	21	19
Alliance Revenue – Lynparza⁽²⁾	228	248	246	721	145	178	196	519	206	725	25	25	39	35
Alliance Revenue – Lenvima⁽²⁾	130	181	188	498	128	151	142	421	158	580	32	30	18	15
Vaccines ⁽³⁾
Gardasil / Gardasil 9	917	1,234	1,993	4,144	1,097	656	1,187	2,941	998	3,938	68	63	41	35
ProQuad / M-M-R II / Varivax	449	516	661	1,626	435	378	576	1,390	488	1,878	15	14	17	16
Pneumovax 23	171	152	277	600	256	117	375	748	339	1,087	-26	-26	-20	-21
RotaTeq	158	208	227	593	222	168	210	601	196	797	8	7	-1	-3
Vaqta	34	56	48	138	60	28	51	139	31	170	-6	-6	-1	-2
Hospital Acute Care
Bridion	340	387	369	1,096	299	224	320	843	355	1,198	16	15	30	27
Prevymis	82	93	96	270	60	63	77	200	80	281	23	22	35	31
Noxafil	67	66	64	197	94	73	79	247	82	329	-19	-20	-20	-23
Primaxin	65	60	70	194	51	64	74	189	62	251	-6	-12	3	-4
Cancidas	57	54	56	168	55	43	50	148	65	213	13	9	13	8
Invanz	57	48	53	157	64	43	51	159	53	211	5	0	-1	-4
Zerbaxa	(8)	(1)	(2)	(11)	37	32	43	112	19	130	-105	-105	-110	-110
Immunology
Simponi	214	202	203	619	215	191	209	615	223	838	-3	-5	1	-5
Remicade	85	75	73	233	88	73	82	242	88	330	-11	-11	-4	-8
Neuroscience
Belsomra	79	78	81	238	79	84	81	244	83	327	0	3	-2	-2
Virology
Isentress / Isentress HD	209	192	189	590	245	196	205	646	211	857	-8	-7	-9	-9
Cardiovascular
Alliance Revenue - Adempas/Verquvo⁽⁴⁾	74	74	100	248	53	79	83	216	65	281	20	20	15	15
Adempas ⁽⁵⁾	55	74	59	188	56	57	55	167	53	220	7	8	13	7
Diabetes ⁽⁶⁾
Januvia	809	784	852	2,445	774	854	821	2,449	857	3,306	4	3	0	-3
Janumet	486	477	487	1,449	503	490	506	1,499	472	1,971	-4	-6	-3	-7
Other Pharmaceutical ⁽⁷⁾	581	546	572	1,704	605	548	526	1,675	636	2,312	9	8	2	1

ANIMAL HEALTH	1,418	1,472	1,417	4,307	1,214	1,101	1,220	3,535	1,168	4,703	16	14	22	19
Livestock	819	821	864	2,503	739	648	758	2,145	794	2,939	14	12	17	14
Companion Animals	599	651	553	1,804	475	453	462	1,390	374	1,764	20	18	30	26

Other Revenues ⁽⁸⁾	(29)	(50)	241	162	169	74	(5)	238	(33)	205	*	*	-32	88

* 200% or greater
Sum of quarterly amounts may not equal year-to-date amounts due to rounding.
⁽¹⁾ Only select products are shown.
⁽²⁾ Alliance Revenue represents Merck's share of profits, which are product sales net of cost of sales and commercialization costs.
⁽³⁾ Total Vaccines sales were $1,809 million, $2,293 million, and $3,315 million in the first, second, and third quarter of 2021, respectively, and $2,155 million, $1,418 million, $2,521 million and $2,163 million in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2020, respectively.
⁽⁴⁾ Alliance Revenue represents Merck's share of profits from sales in Bayer's marketing territories, which are product sales net of cost of sales and commercialization costs.
⁽⁵⁾ Net product sales in Merck's marketing territories.
⁽⁶⁾ Total Diabetes sales were $1,363 million, $1,330 million, and $1,417 million in the first, second, and third quarter of 2021, respectively, and $1,353 million, $1,418 million, $1,405 million and $1,412 million in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2020, respectively.
⁽⁷⁾ Includes Pharmaceutical products not individually shown above.
⁽⁸⁾ Other Revenues are comprised primarily of third-party manufacturing sales and miscellaneous corporate revenues, including revenue hedging activities. Other Revenues in the third quarter and September year-to-date period of 2021 include $135 million related to the receipt of a milestone payment for an out-licensed product.

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Merck Announces Third-Quarter 2021 Financial Results