Keytruda unlocks first quarter revenue ramp-up for Merck & Co

1 May 2018

Shares in New Jersey, USA-based Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK) are trading 1.5% lower ahead of the opening bell in New York, despite better-than-expected first quarter sales of $10 billion, up 6% from the same period last year.

The result was powered largely by $1.46 billion in sales for flagship checkpoint inhibitor Keytruda (pembrolizumab), which now makes up about 15% of total revenues.

The company is betting heavily on the immuno-oncology drug, investing billions trialling Keytruda in multiple combinations and indications.

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