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Watchlist
Account
Merck
MRK
#47
Rank
$291.24 B
Marketcap
๐บ๐ธ
United States
Country
$116.60
Share price
2.85%
Change (1 day)
19.04%
Change (1 year)
๐ Pharmaceuticals
๐บ๐ธ Dow jones
๐งฌ Biotech
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Annual Reports (10-K)
Merck
Quarterly Reports (10-Q)
Financial Year FY2018 Q2
Merck - 10-Q quarterly report FY2018 Q2
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018
OR
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______ to ______
Commission File No. 1-6571
Merck & Co., Inc.
2000 Galloping Hill Road
Kenilworth, N.J. 07033
(908) 740-4000
Incorporated in New Jersey
I.R.S. Employer
Identification No. 22-1918501
The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of the close of business on
July 31, 2018
:
2,659,525,311
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes
☒
No
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes
☒
No
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
☒
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☐
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
☐
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
☐
No
☒
Part I - Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
MERCK & CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(Unaudited, $ in millions except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2018
2017
2018
2017
Sales
$
10,465
$
9,930
$
20,502
$
19,365
Costs, Expenses and Other
Materials and production
3,417
3,116
6,601
6,165
Marketing and administrative
2,508
2,500
5,016
4,972
Research and development
2,274
1,782
5,470
3,612
Restructuring costs
228
166
323
317
Other (income) expense, net
(48
)
(73
)
(340
)
(143
)
8,379
7,491
17,070
14,923
Income Before Taxes
2,086
2,439
3,432
4,442
Taxes on Income
370
488
975
935
Net Income
1,716
1,951
2,457
3,507
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
9
5
14
11
Net Income Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
$
1,707
$
1,946
$
2,443
$
3,496
Basic Earnings per Common Share Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. Common Shareholders
$
0.64
$
0.71
$
0.91
$
1.28
Earnings per Common Share Assuming Dilution Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. Common Shareholders
$
0.63
$
0.71
$
0.90
$
1.27
Dividends Declared per Common Share
$
0.48
$
0.47
$
0.96
$
0.94
MERCK & CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited, $ in millions)
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2018
2017
2018
2017
Net Income Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
$
1,707
$
1,946
$
2,443
$
3,496
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net of Taxes:
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, net of reclassifications
266
(143
)
196
(375
)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of reclassifications
3
35
(96
)
78
Benefit plan net gain and prior service credit, net of amortization
30
47
66
73
Cumulative translation adjustment
(361
)
47
(104
)
356
(62
)
(14
)
62
132
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
$
1,645
$
1,932
$
2,505
$
3,628
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
-
2
-
MERCK & CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited, $ in millions except per share amounts)
June 30, 2018
December 31, 2017
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
5,310
$
6,092
Short-term investments
2,284
2,406
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $210 in both 2018
and 2017)
7,287
6,873
Inventories (excludes inventories of $1,361 in 2018 and $1,187 in 2017
classified in Other assets - see Note 7)
5,178
5,096
Other current assets
4,005
4,299
Total current assets
24,064
24,766
Investments
10,033
12,125
Property, Plant and Equipment, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $16,567
in 2018 and $16,602 in 2017
12,626
12,439
Goodwill
18,274
18,284
Other Intangibles, Net
12,898
14,183
Other Assets
7,145
6,075
$
85,040
$
87,872
Liabilities and Equity
Current Liabilities
Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt
$
3,379
$
3,057
Trade accounts payable
3,024
3,102
Accrued and other current liabilities
9,755
10,427
Income taxes payable
661
708
Dividends payable
1,309
1,320
Total current liabilities
18,128
18,614
Long-Term Debt
19,959
21,353
Deferred Income Taxes
2,159
2,219
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
12,028
11,117
Merck & Co., Inc. Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock, $0.50 par value
Authorized - 6,500,000,000 shares
Issued - 3,577,103,522 shares in 2018 and 2017
1,788
1,788
Other paid-in capital
39,741
39,902
Retained earnings
41,523
41,350
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(5,122
)
(4,910
)
77,930
78,130
Less treasury stock, at cost:
907,061,576 shares in 2018 and 880,491,914 shares in 2017
45,401
43,794
Total Merck & Co., Inc. stockholders’ equity
32,529
34,336
Noncontrolling Interests
237
233
Total equity
32,766
34,569
$
85,040
$
87,872
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this condensed consolidated financial statement.
-
3
-
MERCK & CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, $ in millions)
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2018
2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income
$
2,457
$
3,507
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
2,363
2,355
Intangible asset impairment charges
—
131
Charge for future payments related to Eisai collaboration license options
650
—
Deferred income taxes
(258
)
(272
)
Share-based compensation
170
156
Other
429
63
Net changes in assets and liabilities
(1,274
)
(2,337
)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
4,537
3,603
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures
(1,033
)
(732
)
Purchases of securities and other investments
(5,248
)
(6,280
)
Proceeds from sales of securities and other investments
7,403
9,363
Other acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(372
)
(347
)
Other
(274
)
62
Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities
476
2,066
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net change in short-term borrowings
2,069
(24
)
Payments on debt
(3,008
)
(301
)
Purchases of treasury stock
(2,162
)
(2,153
)
Dividends paid to stockholders
(2,610
)
(2,601
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
299
408
Other
(277
)
(86
)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
(5,689
)
(4,757
)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
(108
)
359
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
(784
)
1,271
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at Beginning of Year (includes restricted
cash of $4 million at January 1, 2018 included in Other Assets)
6,096
6,515
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash at End of Period (includes restricted cash
of $2 million at June 30, 2018 included in Other Assets)
$
5,312
$
7,786
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this condensed consolidated financial statement.
-
4
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
1.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Merck & Co., Inc. (Merck or the Company) have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for reporting on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete consolidated financial statements are not included herein. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in Merck’s Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2018.
The results of operations of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year. In the Company’s opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of these interim statements have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current presentation.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued amended accounting guidance on revenue recognition (ASU 2014-09) that applies to all contracts with customers. The objective of the new guidance is to improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities and to provide more useful information to users of financial statements through improved disclosure requirements. The new standard permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of adopting the guidance being recognized at the date of initial application (modified retrospective method). The new standard was effective as of January 1, 2018 and was adopted using the modified retrospective method. The Company recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment upon adoption increasing
Retained earnings
by
$5 million
. See Note 2 for additional information related to the adoption of this standard.
In January 2016, the FASB issued revised guidance for the accounting and reporting of financial instruments (ASU 2016-01) and in 2018 issued related technical corrections (ASU 2018-03). The new guidance requires that equity investments with readily determinable fair values currently classified as available for sale be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The Company has elected to measure equity investments without readily determinable fair values at cost, less impairment, adjusted for subsequent observable price changes, which will be recognized in net income. The new guidance also changed certain disclosure requirements. ASU 2016-01 was effective as of January 1, 2018 and was adopted using a modified retrospective approach. The Company recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment upon adoption increasing
Retained earnings
by
$8 million
. ASU 2018-03 was also adopted as of January 1, 2018 on a prospective basis and did not result in any additional impacts upon adoption.
In October 2016, the FASB issued guidance on the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory (ASU 2016-16). The new guidance requires the recognition of the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset (with the exception of inventory) when the intra-entity transfer occurs, replacing the prohibition against doing so. The current exception to defer the recognition of any tax impact on the transfer of inventory within the consolidated entity until it is sold to a third party remains unaffected. The new standard was effective as of January 1, 2018 and was adopted using a modified retrospective approach. The Company recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment upon adoption increasing
Retained earnings
by
$54 million
with a corresponding decrease to
Deferred Income Taxes
.
In August 2017, the FASB issued new guidance on hedge accounting (ASU 2017-12) that is intended to more closely align hedge accounting with companies’ risk management strategies, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. The new guidance makes more financial and nonfinancial hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting, amends the presentation and disclosure requirements, and changes how companies assess effectiveness. The Company elected to early adopt this guidance as of January 1, 2018 on a modified retrospective basis. The new guidance was applied to all existing hedges as of the adoption date. For fair value hedges of interest rate risk outstanding as of the date of adoption, the Company recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment upon adoption to the basis adjustment on the hedged item resulting from applying the benchmark component of the coupon guidance. This adjustment decreased
Retained earnings
by
$11 million
. Also, in accordance with the transition provisions of ASU 2017-12, the Company was required to eliminate the separate measurement of ineffectiveness for its cash flow hedging instruments existing as of the adoption date through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings; however, all such amounts were
de minimis
.
In February 2018, the FASB issued new guidance to address a narrow-scope financial reporting issue that arose as a consequence of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) (ASU 2018-02). Existing guidance requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be adjusted for a change in tax laws or rates with the effect included in income from continuing operations in the reporting period that includes the enactment date. That guidance is applicable even in situations in which the related income tax effects of items in accumulated other comprehensive income were originally recognized in other comprehensive income (rather than in net income), such as amounts related to benefit plans and hedging activity. As a result, the tax effects of items within accumulated other comprehensive income do not reflect the appropriate tax rate (the difference is referred to as stranded tax effects). The new guidance allows for a reclassification of these amounts to retained earnings thereby eliminating these stranded tax effects. The Company elected to early adopt the new guidance in the first quarter of 2018 and reclassified the stranded income tax effects of
-
5
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
the TCJA increasing
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
in the provisional amount of
$266 million
with a corresponding increase to
Retained earnings
(see Note 15). The Company’s policy for releasing disproportionate income tax effects from
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
is to utilize the item-by-item approach.
The impact of adopting the above standards is as follows:
($ in millions)
ASU 2014-09 (Revenue)
ASU 2016-01 (Financial Instruments)
ASU 2016-16 (Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory)
ASU 2017-12 (Derivatives and Hedging)
ASU 2018-02 (Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects)
Total
Assets - Increase (Decrease)
Accounts receivable
$
5
$
5
Liabilities - Increase (Decrease)
Income Taxes Payable
(3
)
(3
)
Debt
14
14
Deferred Income Taxes
(54
)
(54
)
Equity - Increase (Decrease)
Retained earnings
5
8
54
(11
)
266
322
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(8
)
(266
)
(274
)
In March 2017, the FASB amended the guidance related to net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans that requires entities to (1) disaggregate the current service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost and present it with other employee compensation costs in the income statement within operations if such a subtotal is presented; (2) present the other components of net benefit cost separately in the income statement and outside of income from operations; and (3) only capitalize the service cost component when applicable. The Company adopted the new standard as of January 1, 2018 using a retrospective transition method as to the requirement for separate presentation in the income statement of service costs and other components and a prospective transition method as to the requirement to limit the capitalization of benefit costs to the service cost component. The Company utilized a practical expedient that permits it to use the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan note for the prior comparative periods as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. Upon adoption, net periodic benefit cost (credit) other than service cost was reclassified to
Other (income) expense, net
from the previous classification within
Materials and production
costs,
Marketing and administrative
expenses and
Research and development
costs (see Note 12).
In August 2016, the FASB issued guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows intended to reduce diversity in practice. The Company adopted the new standard effective as of January 1, 2018 using a retrospective application. There were no changes to the presentation of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows in the prior year period as a result of adopting the new standard.
In November 2016, the FASB issued guidance requiring that amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The new standard was effective as of January 1, 2018 and was adopted using a retrospective application. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
In May 2017, the FASB issued guidance clarifying when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award (as equity or liability) changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. The Company adopted the new standard effective as of January 1, 2018 and will apply the new guidance to future share-based payment award modifications should they occur.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In February 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for the accounting and reporting of leases. The new guidance requires that lessees recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability recorded on the balance sheet for each of its leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease). Leases will be classified as either operating or finance. Operating leases will result in straight-line expense in the income statement (similar to current operating leases) while finance leases will result in more expense being recognized in the earlier years of the lease term (similar to current capital leases). The new guidance will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning in 2019 and will be adopted using a modified retrospective approach. The Company intends to elect available practical expedients. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
-
6
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
In June 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance on the accounting for credit losses on financial instruments. The guidance introduces an expected loss model for estimating credit losses, replacing the incurred loss model. The new guidance also changes the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities, requiring the use of an allowance to record estimated credit losses (and subsequent recoveries). The new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning in 2020, with earlier application permitted in 2019. The new guidance is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings in the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance that provides for the elimination of Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, impairment charges are recognized to the extent the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value with certain limitations. The new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods in 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of the new guidance will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
, and subsequent amendments (ASC 606 or new guidance), using the modified retrospective method. Merck applied the new guidance to all contracts with customers within the scope of the standard that were in effect on January 1, 2018 and recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new guidance as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings (see Note 1). Comparative information for prior periods has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods.
The new guidance provides principles that an entity applies to report useful information about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from its contracts to provide goods or services to customers. The core principle requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance introduces a 5-step model to recognize revenue when or as control is transferred: identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognize revenue when or as the performance obligations are satisfied. The Company’s significant accounting policies are detailed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in Merck’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. Changes to the Company’s revenue recognition policy as a result of adopting ASC 606 are described below. See Note 16 for disaggregated revenue disclosures.
Revenue Recognition
— Recognition of revenue requires evidence of a contract, probable collection of sales proceeds and completion of substantially all performance obligations. Merck acts as the principal in substantially all of its customer arrangements and therefore records revenue on a gross basis. The majority of the Company’s contracts related to the Pharmaceutical and Animal Health segments have a single performance obligation - the promise to transfer goods. Shipping is considered immaterial in the context of the overall customer arrangement and damages or loss of goods in transit are rare. Therefore, shipping is not deemed a separately recognized performance obligation.
The vast majority of revenues from sales of products are recognized at a point in time when control of the goods is transferred to the customer, which the Company has determined is when title and risks and rewards of ownership transfer to the customer and the Company is entitled to payment. Certain Merck entities, including U.S. entities, have contract terms under which control of the goods passes to the customer upon shipment; however, either pursuant to the terms of the contract or as a business practice, Merck retains responsibility for goods lost or damaged in transit. Prior to the adoption of the new standard, Merck would recognize revenue for these entities upon delivery of the goods. Under the new guidance, the Company is now recognizing revenue at time of shipment for these entities.
For businesses within the Company’s Healthcare Services segment and certain services in the Animal Health segment, revenue is recognized over time, generally ratably over the contract term as services are provided.
Merck’s payment terms for U.S. pharmaceutical customers are typically net
36
days from receipt of invoice and for U.S. animal health customers are typically net
30
days from receipt of invoice; however, certain products, including
Keytruda
, have longer payment terms up to
90
days. Outside of the United States, payment terms are typically
30
days to
90
days although certain markets have longer payment terms.
The nature of the Company’s business gives rise to several types of variable consideration including discounts and returns, which are estimated at the time of sale generally using the expected value method, although the most likely amount method is also used for certain types of variable consideration. In the United States, sales discounts are issued to customers at the point-of-sale, through an intermediary wholesaler (known as chargebacks), or in the form of rebates. Additionally, sales are generally made with a limited right of return under certain conditions. Revenues are recorded net of provisions for sales discounts and
-
7
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
returns, which are established at the time of sale. In addition, revenues are recorded net of time value of money discounts if collection of accounts receivable is expected to be in excess of one year.
The provision for aggregate customer discounts covers chargebacks and rebates. Chargebacks are discounts that occur when a contracted customer purchases through an intermediary wholesaler. The contracted customer generally purchases product from the wholesaler at its contracted price plus a mark-up. The wholesaler, in turn, charges the Company back for the difference between the price initially paid by the wholesaler and the contract price paid to the wholesaler by the customer. The provision for chargebacks is based on expected sell-through levels by the Company’s wholesale customers to contracted customers, as well as estimated wholesaler inventory levels. Rebates are amounts owed based upon definitive contractual agreements or legal requirements with private sector and public sector (Medicaid and Medicare Part D) benefit providers, after the final dispensing of the product by a pharmacy to a benefit plan participant. The provision for rebates is based on expected patient usage, as well as inventory levels in the distribution channel to determine the contractual obligation to the benefit providers. The Company uses historical customer segment utilization mix, sales forecasts, changes to product mix and price, inventory levels in the distribution channel, government pricing calculations and prior payment history in order to estimate the expected provision. Amounts accrued for aggregate customer discounts are evaluated on a quarterly basis through comparison of information provided by the wholesalers, health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, federal and state agencies, and other customers to the amounts accrued. These discounts, in the aggregate, reduced U.S. sales by
$2.8 billion
in both the
second
quarter of
2018
and
2017
, and by
$5.2 billion
and
$5.3 billion
for the first
six
months of
2018
and
2017
, respectively.
Outside of the United States, variable consideration in the form of discounts and rebates are a combination of commercially-driven discounts in highly competitive product classes, discounts required to gain or maintain reimbursement, or legislatively mandated rebates. In certain European countries, legislatively mandated rebates are calculated based on an estimate of the government’s total unbudgeted spending and the Company’s specific payback obligation. Rebates may also be required based on specific product sales thresholds. In all cases, the Company applies an estimated factor against its actual invoiced sales to represent the expected level of future discount or rebate obligation associated with the sale.
The Company maintains a returns policy that allows its U.S. pharmaceutical customers to return product within a specified period prior to and subsequent to the expiration date (generally,
three
to
six
months before and
12
months after product expiration). The estimate of the provision for returns is based upon historical experience with actual returns. Additionally, the Company considers factors such as levels of inventory in the distribution channel, product dating and expiration period, whether products have been discontinued, entrance in the market of generic competition, changes in formularies or launch of over-the-counter products, among others. Outside of the United States, returns are only allowed on a limited basis in certain countries.
The following table provides the effects of adopting ASC 606 on the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three and
six
months ended
June 30, 2018
:
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
($ in millions)
As Reported
Effects of Adopting ASC 606
Amounts Without Adoption of ASC 606
As Reported
Effects of Adopting ASC 606
Amounts Without Adoption of ASC 606
Sales
$
10,465
$
(6
)
$
10,459
$
20,502
$
(29
)
$
20,473
Materials and production
3,417
(5
)
3,412
6,601
(16
)
6,585
Income before taxes
2,086
(1
)
2,085
3,432
(13
)
3,419
Taxes on income
370
(1
)
369
975
(3
)
972
Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
1,707
—
1,707
2,443
(10
)
2,433
The following table provides the effects of adopting ASC 606 on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of
June 30, 2018
:
June 30, 2018
($ in millions)
As Reported
Effects of Adopting ASC 606
Amounts Without Adoption of ASC 606
Assets
Accounts receivable
$
7,287
$
(47
)
$
7,240
Inventories
5,178
18
5,196
Liabilities
Accrued and other current liabilities
9,755
(9
)
9,746
Income taxes payable
661
(5
)
656
Equity
Retained earnings
41,523
(15
)
41,508
-
8
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
3.
Acquisitions, Divestitures, Research Collaborations and License Agreements
The Company continues to pursue the acquisition of businesses and establishment of external alliances such as research collaborations and licensing agreements to complement its internal research capabilities. These arrangements often include upfront payments, as well as expense reimbursements or payments to the third party, and milestone, royalty or profit share arrangements, contingent upon the occurrence of certain future events linked to the success of the asset in development. The Company also reviews its marketed products and pipeline to examine candidates which may provide more value through out-licensing and, as part of its portfolio assessment process, may also divest certain assets. Pro forma financial information for acquired businesses is not presented if the historical financial results of the acquired entity are not significant when compared with the Company’s financial results.
In June 2018, Merck acquired Viralytics Limited (Viralytics), an Australian publicly traded company focused on oncolytic immunotherapy treatments for a range of cancers, for AUD
502 million
(
$378 million
). The transaction provided Merck with full rights to
Cavatak
(V937, formerly CVA21), Viralytics’s investigational oncolytic immunotherapy.
Cavatak
is based on Viralytics’s proprietary formulation of an oncolytic virus (Coxsackievirus Type A21) that has been shown to preferentially infect and kill cancer cells.
Cavatak
is currently being evaluated in multiple Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials, both as an intratumoral and intravenous agent, including in combination with
Keytruda
. Under a previous agreement between Merck and Viralytics, a study is investigating the use of the
Keytruda
and
Cavatak
combination in melanoma, prostate, lung and bladder cancers. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition. Merck recorded net assets of
$34 million
(primarily cash) at the acquisition date and
Research and development
expenses of
$344 million
for the second quarter and first six months of 2018 related to the transaction. There are no future contingent payments associated with the acquisition.
In April 2018, Merck sold C3i Solutions, a multi-channel customer engagement services provider which was part of the Healthcare Services segment, to HCL Technologies Limited for
$65 million
. The transaction resulted in a loss of
$11 million
recorded in
Other (income) expense, net
.
In March 2018, Merck and Eisai Co., Ltd. (Eisai) entered into a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and co-commercialization of Lenvima, an orally available tyrosine kinase inhibitor discovered by Eisai (see Note 4).
In July 2017, Merck and AstraZeneca PLC (AstraZeneca) entered into a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize AstraZeneca’s Lynparza for multiple cancer types (see Note 4).
In March 2017, Merck acquired a controlling interest in Vallée S.A. (Vallée), a leading privately held producer of animal health products in Brazil. Vallée has an extensive portfolio of products spanning parasiticides, anti-infectives and vaccines that include products for livestock, horses, and companion animals. Under the terms of the agreement, Merck acquired
93.5%
of the shares of Vallée for
$358 million
. Of the total purchase price,
$176 million
was placed into escrow pending resolution of certain contingent items. The transaction was accounted for as an acquisition of a business. Merck recognized intangible assets of
$297 million
related to currently marketed products, net deferred tax liabilities of
$102 million
, other net assets of
$32 million
and noncontrolling interest of
$25 million
. In addition, the Company recorded liabilities of
$37 million
for contingencies identified at the acquisition date and corresponding indemnification assets of
$37 million
, representing the amounts to be reimbursed to Merck if and when the contingent liabilities are paid. The excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of net assets acquired of
$156 million
was recorded as goodwill. The goodwill was allocated to the Animal Health segment and is not deductible for tax purposes. The estimated fair values of identifiable intangible assets related to currently marketed products were determined using an income approach. The probability-adjusted future net cash flows of each product were discounted to present value utilizing a discount rate of
15.5%
. Actual cash flows are likely to be different than those assumed. The intangible assets related to currently marketed products are being amortized over their estimated useful lives of
15
years. In the fourth quarter of 2017, Merck acquired an additional
4.5%
interest in Vallée for
$18 million
, which reduced the noncontrolling interest related to Vallée.
4. Collaborative Arrangements
Merck has entered into collaborative arrangements that provide the Company with varying rights to develop, produce and market products together with its collaborative partners. Both parties in these arrangements are active participants and exposed to significant risks and rewards dependent on the commercial success of the activities of the collaboration. Merck’s more significant collaborative arrangements are discussed below.
AstraZeneca
In July 2017, Merck and AstraZeneca entered into a global strategic oncology collaboration to co-develop and co-commercialize AstraZeneca’s Lynparza for multiple cancer types. Lynparza is an oral poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor currently approved for certain types of ovarian and breast cancer. The companies are jointly developing and commercializing Lynparza, both as monotherapy and in combination trials with other potential medicines. Independently, Merck and AstraZeneca will develop and commercialize Lynparza in combinations with their respective PD-1 and PD-L1 medicines,
Keytruda
and Imfinzi. The companies will also jointly develop and commercialize AstraZeneca’s selumetinib, an oral, potent,
-
9
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
selective inhibitor of MEK, part of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, currently being developed for multiple indications. Under the terms of the agreement, AstraZeneca and Merck will share the development and commercialization costs for Lynparza and selumetinib monotherapy and non-PD-L1/PD-1 combination therapy opportunities.
Gross profits from Lynparza and selumetinib product sales generated through monotherapies or combination therapies are shared equally. Merck will fund all development and commercialization costs of
Keytruda
in combination with Lynparza or selumetinib. AstraZeneca will fund all development and commercialization costs of Imfinzi in combination with Lynparza or selumetinib. AstraZeneca is currently the principal on Lynparza sales transactions. Merck is recording its share of Lynparza product sales, net of cost of sales and commercialization costs, as alliance revenue within the Pharmaceutical segment and its share of development costs associated with the collaboration as part of
Research and development
expenses. Reimbursements received from AstraZeneca for research and development expenses are recognized as reductions to
Research and development
costs.
As part of the agreement, Merck made an upfront payment to AstraZeneca of
$1.6 billion
and is making payments totaling
$750 million
over a multi-year period for certain license options (
$250 million
of which was paid in 2017). The Company recorded an aggregate charge of
$2.35 billion
in
Research and development
expenses in 2017 related to the upfront payment and future license options payments. In addition, the agreement provides for additional contingent payments from Merck to AstraZeneca of up to
$6.15 billion
, of which
$2.05 billion
relate to the successful achievement of regulatory milestones and
$4.1 billion
relate to the achievement of sales milestones for total aggregate consideration of up to
$8.5 billion
.
In the second quarter of 2018, Merck determined it was probable that annual sales of Lynparza in the future would trigger a
$200 million
sales-based milestone payment from Merck to AstraZeneca. Accordingly, in the second quarter of 2018, Merck recorded a
$200 million
noncurrent liability and a corresponding intangible asset and also recognized
$17 million
of cumulative amortization expense within
Materials and production
costs. The remaining intangible asset will be amortized over its estimated useful life of approximately
10
years as supported by projected future cash flows, subject to impairment testing. Merck previously accrued a
$150 million
sales-based milestone in the first quarter of 2018 (along with
$9 million
of cumulative amortization expense) and a
$100 million
sales-based milestone in 2017. The remaining
$3.65 billion
of potential future sales-based milestone payments have not yet been accrued as they are not deemed by the Company to be probable at this time.
In January 2018, Lynparza received approval in the United States for the treatment of certain patients with metastatic breast cancer, triggering a
$70 million
milestone payment from Merck to AstraZeneca. This milestone payment was capitalized and will be amortized over its estimated useful life, subject to impairment testing. Potential future regulatory milestone payments of
$1.98 billion
remain under the agreement.
Summarized information related to this collaboration is as follows:
($ in millions)
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2018
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2018
Alliance revenues
$
44
$
76
Materials and production
(1)
24
36
Marketing and administrative
9
16
Research and development
42
71
($ in millions)
June 30, 2018
December 31, 2017
Receivables from AstraZeneca
$
40
$
12
Payables to AstraZeneca
(2)
990
643
(1)
Represents amortization of intangible assets.
(2)
Includes accrued milestone and license option payments.
Eisai
In March 2018, Merck and Eisai announced a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and co-commercialization of Lenvima, an orally available tyrosine kinase inhibitor discovered by Eisai. Under the agreement, Merck and Eisai will develop and commercialize Lenvima jointly, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy,
Keytruda
. Eisai records Lenvima product sales globally (Eisai is the principal on Lynparza sales transactions), and Merck and Eisai share gross profits equally. Merck records its share of Lenvima product sales net of cost of sales and commercialization costs, as alliance revenue. Expenses incurred during co-development, including for studies evaluating Lenvima as monotherapy, are shared equally by the two companies. Under the agreement, Merck made upfront payments to Eisai of
$750 million
and will make payments of up to
$650 million
for certain option rights through 2021 (
$325 million
in January 2019 or earlier in certain
-
10
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
circumstances,
$200 million
in January 2020 and
$125 million
in January 2021). The Company recorded an aggregate charge of
$1.4 billion
in
Research and development
expenses in the first
six
months of 2018 related to the upfront payments and future option payments. In addition, the agreement provides for Eisai to receive up to
$385 million
in the future associated with the achievement of certain clinical and regulatory milestones and up to
$3.97 billion
for the achievement of milestones associated with sales of Lenvima. In March 2018, Lenvima was approved in Japan for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, which was the first regulatory approval under the global strategic collaboration, triggering a
$25 million
milestone payment to Eisai. This milestone payment was capitalized and will be amortized over its estimated useful life of approximately
nine
years, subject to impairment testing.
Summarized information related to this collaboration is as follows:
($ in millions)
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2018
Alliance revenues
$
35
Materials and production
(1)
1
Marketing and administrative
2
Research and development
36
($ in millions)
June 30, 2018
Receivables from Eisai
$
35
Payables to Eisai
(2)
677
(1)
Represents amortization of intangible assets.
(2)
Includes accrued license option payments.
Bayer AG
In 2014, the Company entered into a worldwide clinical development collaboration with Bayer AG (Bayer) to market and develop soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) modulators including Bayer’s Adempas, which is approved to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. The two companies have implemented a joint development and commercialization strategy. The collaboration also includes clinical development of Bayer’s vericiguat, which is in Phase 3 trials for worsening heart failure, as well as opt-in rights for other early-stage sGC compounds in development by Bayer. Merck in turn made available its early-stage sGC compounds under similar terms. Under the agreement, Bayer leads commercialization of Adempas in the Americas, while Merck leads commercialization in the rest of the world. For vericiguat and other potential opt-in products, Bayer will lead commercialization in the rest of world and Merck will lead in the Americas. For all products and candidates included in the agreement, both companies will share in development costs and profits on sales and will have the right to co-promote in territories where they are not the lead. In 2016, Merck began promoting and distributing Adempas in Europe. Transition from Bayer in other Merck territories, including Japan, continued in 2017. Revenue from Adempas includes sales in Merck’s marketing territories, as well as Merck’s share of profits from the sale of Adempas in Bayer’s marketing territories.
In the second quarter of 2018, Merck determined it was probable that annual sales of Adempas in the future would trigger a
$375 million
sales-based milestone payment from Merck to Bayer. Accordingly, in the second quarter of 2018, Merck recorded a
$375 million
noncurrent liability and a corresponding intangible asset and also recognized
$106 million
of cumulative amortization expense within
Materials and production
costs. The remaining intangible asset will be amortized over its estimated useful life of approximately
9.5
years as supported by projected future cash flows, subject to impairment testing. In 2017, annual sales of Adempas exceeded
$500 million
triggering a
$350 million
milestone payment from Merck to Bayer, which was accrued for in 2016 when Merck deemed the payment to be probable. The milestone was paid in the first quarter of 2018. There is an additional
$400 million
potential future sales-based milestone payment that has not yet been accrued as it is not deemed by the Company to be probable at this time.
-
11
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
Summarized information related to this collaboration is as follows:
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
($ in millions)
2018
2017
2018
2017
Net product sales recorded by Merck
$
47
$
36
$
90
$
67
Merck’s profit share from sales in Bayer's marketing territories
28
31
53
84
Total sales
75
67
143
151
Materials and production
(1)
132
24
159
47
Marketing and administrative
10
5
17
11
Research and development
28
25
56
51
($ in millions)
June 30, 2018
December 31, 2017
Receivables from Bayer
$
27
$
33
Payables to Bayer
(2)
375
352
(1)
Includes amortization of intangible assets.
(2)
Includes accrued milestone payments.
5.
Restructuring
In 2010 and 2013, the Company commenced actions under global restructuring programs designed to streamline its cost structure. The actions under these programs include the elimination of positions in sales, administrative and headquarters organizations, as well as the sale or closure of certain manufacturing and research and development sites and the consolidation of office facilities. The Company also continues to reduce its global real estate footprint and improve the efficiency of its manufacturing and supply network.
The Company recorded total pretax costs of
$235 million
and
$210 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
and
2017
, respectively, and
$339 million
and
$425 million
for the first
six
months of 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to restructuring program activities. Since inception of the programs through
June 30, 2018
, Merck has recorded total pretax accumulated costs of approximately
$13.8 billion
and eliminated approximately
44,695
positions comprised of employee separations, as well as the elimination of contractors and vacant positions. The Company estimates that approximately two-thirds of the cumulative pretax costs are cash outlays, primarily related to employee separation expense. Approximately one-third of the cumulative pretax costs are non-cash, relating primarily to the accelerated depreciation of facilities to be closed or divested. While the Company has substantially completed the actions under these programs, approximately
$500 million
of pretax costs are expected to be incurred for the full year of 2018 relating to anticipated employee separations and remaining asset-related costs.
For segment reporting, restructuring charges are unallocated expenses.
The following tables summarize the charges related to restructuring program activities by type of cost:
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
($ in millions)
Separation
Costs
Accelerated
Depreciation
Other
Total
Separation
Costs
Accelerated
Depreciation
Other
Total
Materials and production
$
—
$
—
$
3
$
3
$
—
$
—
$
9
$
9
Marketing and administrative
—
—
1
1
—
1
1
2
Research and development
—
—
3
3
—
(3
)
8
5
Restructuring costs
200
—
28
228
255
—
68
323
$
200
$
—
$
35
$
235
$
255
$
(2
)
$
86
$
339
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
($ in millions)
Separation
Costs
Accelerated
Depreciation
Other
Total
Separation
Costs
Accelerated
Depreciation
Other
Total
Materials and production
$
—
$
(4
)
$
37
$
33
$
—
$
47
$
49
$
96
Marketing and administrative
—
2
—
2
—
2
1
3
Research and development
—
8
1
9
—
6
3
9
Restructuring costs
118
—
48
166
202
—
115
317
$
118
$
6
$
86
$
210
$
202
$
55
$
168
$
425
-
12
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
Separation costs are associated with actual headcount reductions, as well as those headcount reductions which were probable and could be reasonably estimated. In the
second
quarter of
2018
and
2017
, approximately
635
positions and
475
positions, respectively, and for the first
six
months of 2018 and 2017,
1,345
positions and
1,020
positions, respectively, were eliminated under restructuring program activities.
Accelerated depreciation costs primarily relate to manufacturing, research and administrative facilities and equipment to be sold or closed as part of the programs. Accelerated depreciation costs represent the difference between the depreciation expense to be recognized over the revised useful life of the asset, based upon the anticipated date the site will be closed or divested or the equipment disposed of, and depreciation expense as determined utilizing the useful life prior to the restructuring actions. All of the sites have and will continue to operate up through the respective closure dates and, since future undiscounted cash flows were sufficient to recover the respective book values, Merck is recording accelerated depreciation over the revised useful life of the site assets. Anticipated site closure dates, particularly related to manufacturing locations, have been and may continue to be adjusted to reflect changes resulting from regulatory or other factors.
Other activity in
2018
and
2017
includes asset abandonment, shut-down and other related costs, as well as pretax gains and losses resulting from sales of facilities and related assets. Additionally, other activity includes certain employee-related costs associated with pension and other postretirement benefit plans (see Note 11) and share-based compensation.
The following table summarizes the charges and spending relating to restructuring program activities for the
six
months ended
June 30, 2018
:
($ in millions)
Separation
Costs
Accelerated
Depreciation
Other
Total
Restructuring reserves January 1, 2018
$
619
$
—
$
128
$
747
Expense
255
(2
)
86
339
(Payments) receipts, net
(389
)
—
(116
)
(505
)
Non-cash activity
—
2
7
9
Restructuring reserves June 30, 2018
(1)
$
485
$
—
$
105
$
590
(1)
The remaining cash outlays are expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2020.
6.
Financial Instruments
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company manages the impact of foreign exchange rate movements and interest rate movements on its earnings, cash flows and fair values of assets and liabilities through operational means and through the use of various financial instruments, including derivative instruments.
A significant portion of the Company’s revenues and earnings in foreign affiliates is exposed to changes in foreign exchange rates. The objectives and accounting related to the Company’s foreign currency risk management program, as well as its interest rate risk management activities are discussed below.
Foreign Currency Risk Management
The Company has established revenue hedging, balance sheet risk management and net investment hedging programs to protect against volatility of future foreign currency cash flows and changes in fair value caused by volatility in foreign exchange rates.
The objective of the revenue hedging program is to reduce the variability caused by changes in foreign exchange rates that would affect the U.S. dollar value of future cash flows derived from foreign currency denominated sales, primarily the euro and Japanese yen. To achieve this objective, the Company will hedge a portion of its forecasted foreign currency denominated third-party and intercompany distributor entity sales (forecasted sales) that are expected to occur over its planning cycle, typically no more than
two years
into the future. The Company will layer in hedges over time, increasing the portion of forecasted sales hedged as it gets closer to the expected date of the forecasted sales. The portion of forecasted sales hedged is based on assessments of cost-benefit profiles that consider natural offsetting exposures, revenue and exchange rate volatilities and correlations, and the cost of hedging instruments. The Company manages its anticipated transaction exposure principally with purchased local currency put options, forward contracts and purchased collar options.
The fair values of these derivative contracts are recorded as either assets (gain positions) or liabilities (loss positions) in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Changes in the fair value of derivative contracts are recorded each period in either current earnings or
Other comprehensive income
(
OCI
), depending on whether the derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if so, the type of hedge transaction. For derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges, the unrealized gains or losses on these contracts is recorded in
Accumulated other comprehensive income
(
AOCI
) and reclassified into
Sales
when the hedged anticipated revenue is recognized. For those derivatives which are not designated as cash flow hedges, but serve as economic
-
13
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
hedges of forecasted sales, unrealized gains or losses are recorded in
Sales
each period. The cash flows from both designated and non-designated contracts are reported as operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company does not enter into derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.
The Company manages operating activities and net asset positions at each local subsidiary in order to mitigate the effects of exchange on monetary assets and liabilities. The Company also uses a balance sheet risk management program to mitigate the exposure of net monetary assets that are denominated in a currency other than a subsidiary’s functional currency from the effects of volatility in foreign exchange. In these instances, Merck principally utilizes forward exchange contracts to offset the effects of exchange on exposures denominated in developed country currencies, primarily the euro and Japanese yen. For exposures in developing country currencies, the Company will enter into forward contracts to partially offset the effects of exchange on exposures when it is deemed economical to do so based on a cost-benefit analysis that considers the magnitude of the exposure, the volatility of the exchange rate and the cost of the hedging instrument. The cash flows from these contracts are reported as operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of a given subsidiary are remeasured at spot rates in effect on the balance sheet date with the effects of changes in spot rates reported in
Other (income) expense, net
. The forward contracts are not designated as hedges and are marked to market through
Other (income) expense, net
. Accordingly, fair value changes in the forward contracts help mitigate the changes in the value of the remeasured assets and liabilities attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, except to the extent of the spot-forward differences. These differences are not significant due to the short-term nature of the contracts, which typically have average maturities at inception of less than
one year
.
The Company also uses forward exchange contracts to hedge its net investment in foreign operations against movements in exchange rates. The forward contracts are designated as hedges of the net investment in a foreign operation. The Company hedges a portion of the net investment in certain of its foreign operations. The unrealized gains or losses on these contracts are recorded in foreign currency translation adjustment within
OCI
, and remain in
AOCI
until either the sale or complete or substantially complete liquidation of the subsidiary. The Company excludes certain portions of the change in fair value of its derivative instruments from the assessment of hedge effectiveness (excluded component). Changes in fair value of the excluded components are recognized in
OCI
. In accordance with the new guidance adopted on January 1, 2018 (see Note 1), the Company has elected to recognize in earnings the initial value of the excluded component on a straight-line basis over the life of the derivative instrument, rather than using the mark-to-market approach. The cash flows from these contracts are reported as investing activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
Foreign exchange risk is also managed through the use of foreign currency debt. The Company’s senior unsecured euro-denominated notes have been designated as, and are effective as, economic hedges of the net investment in a foreign operation. Accordingly, foreign currency transaction gains or losses due to spot rate fluctuations on the euro-denominated debt instruments are included in foreign currency translation adjustment within
OCI
.
The effect of the Company’s net investment hedges on
OCI
and the Consolidated Statement of Income is shown below:
Amount of Pretax (Gain) Loss Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
(1)
Amount of Pretax (Gain) Loss Recognized in
Other (income) expense, net
for Amounts Excluded from Effectiveness Testing
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
($ in millions)
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
Net Investment Hedging Relationships
Foreign exchange contracts
$
(12
)
$
—
$
(14
)
$
—
$
(3
)
$
—
$
(3
)
$
—
Euro-denominated notes
(271
)
204
(92
)
339
—
—
—
—
(1)
No amounts were reclassified from AOCI into income related to the sale of a subsidiary.
Interest Rate Risk Management
The Company may use interest rate swap contracts on certain investing and borrowing transactions to manage its net exposure to interest rate changes and to reduce its overall cost of borrowing. The Company does not use leveraged swaps and, in general, does not leverage any of its investment activities that would put principal capital at risk.
In May 2018,
four
interest rate swaps with notional amounts of
$250 million
each matured. These swaps effectively converted the Company’s
$1.0 billion
,
1.30%
fixed-rate notes due 2018 to variable rate debt. At
June 30, 2018
, the Company was a party to
22
pay-floating, receive-fixed interest rate swap contracts designated as fair value hedges of fixed-rate notes in which the notional amounts match the amount of the hedged fixed-rate notes as detailed in the table below.
-
14
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
June 30, 2018
($ in millions)
Par Value of Debt
Number of Interest Rate Swaps Held
Total Swap Notional Amount
5.00% notes due 2019
1,250
3
550
1.85% notes due 2020
1,250
5
1,250
3.875% notes due 2021
1,150
5
1,150
2.40% notes due 2022
1,000
4
1,000
2.35% notes due 2022
1,250
5
1,250
The interest rate swap contracts are designated hedges of the fair value changes in the notes attributable to changes in the benchmark London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) swap rate. The fair value changes in the notes attributable to changes in the LIBOR swap rate are recorded in interest expense along with the offsetting fair value changes in the swap contracts. The cash flows from these contracts are reported as operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
The table below presents the location of amounts recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to cumulative basis adjustments for fair value hedges:
Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities
Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Increase (Decrease) Included in the Carrying Amount
($ in millions)
June 30, 2018
December 31, 2017
June 30, 2018
December 31, 2017
Balance Sheet Line Item in which Hedged Item is Included
Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt
$
554
$
983
$
5
$
(17
)
Long-Term Debt
(1)
4,511
5,146
(129
)
(41
)
(1)
Amounts include hedging adjustment gains related to discontinued hedging relationships of
$7 million
and
$11 million
at
June 30, 2018
and
December 31, 2017
, respectively.
Presented in the table below is the fair value of derivatives on a gross basis segregated between those derivatives that are designated as hedging instruments and those that are not designated as hedging instruments:
June 30, 2018
December 31, 2017
Fair Value of Derivative
U.S. Dollar
Notional
Fair Value of Derivative
U.S. Dollar
Notional
($ in millions)
Balance Sheet Caption
Asset
Liability
Asset
Liability
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Interest rate swap contracts
Other assets
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
2
$
—
$
550
Interest rate swap contracts
Accrued and other current liabilities
—
2
550
—
3
1,000
Interest rate swap contracts
Other noncurrent liabilities
—
130
4,650
—
52
4,650
Foreign exchange contracts
Other current assets
153
—
6,071
51
—
4,216
Foreign exchange contracts
Other assets
83
—
2,561
38
—
1,936
Foreign exchange contracts
Accrued and other current liabilities
—
8
590
—
71
2,014
Foreign exchange contracts
Other noncurrent liabilities
—
1
144
—
1
20
$
236
$
141
$
14,566
$
91
$
127
$
14,386
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Foreign exchange contracts
Other current assets
$
208
$
—
$
6,403
$
39
$
—
$
3,778
Foreign exchange contracts
Accrued and other current liabilities
—
56
4,681
—
90
7,431
$
208
$
56
$
11,084
$
39
$
90
$
11,209
$
444
$
197
$
25,650
$
130
$
217
$
25,595
-
15
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
As noted above, the Company records its derivatives on a gross basis in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company has master netting agreements with several of its financial institution counterparties (see
Concentrations of Credit Risk
below). The following table provides information on the Company’s derivative positions subject to these master netting arrangements as if they were presented on a net basis, allowing for the right of offset by counterparty and cash collateral exchanged per the master agreements and related credit support annexes:
June 30, 2018
December 31, 2017
($ in millions)
Asset
Liability
Asset
Liability
Gross amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet
$
444
$
197
$
130
$
217
Gross amount subject to offset in master netting arrangements not offset in the consolidated
balance sheet
(152
)
(152
)
(94
)
(94
)
Cash collateral received
(90
)
—
(3
)
—
Net amounts
$
202
$
45
$
33
$
123
The table below provides information regarding the location and amount of pretax (gains) losses of derivatives designated in fair value or cash flow hedging relationships:
Sales
Other (income) expense, net
(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Sales
Other (income) expense, net
(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Three Months Ended June 30,
Three Months Ended June 30,
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
($ in millions)
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
Financial Statement Line Items in which Effects of Fair Value or Cash Flow Hedges are Recorded
$
10,465
$
9,930
$
(48
)
(73
)
$
(62
)
$
(14
)
20,502
$
19,365
$
(340
)
$
(143
)
$
62
$
132
(Gain) loss on fair value hedging relationships
Interest rate swap contracts
Hedged items
—
—
(15
)
20
—
—
—
—
(77
)
4
—
—
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
—
—
22
(31
)
—
—
—
—
84
(27
)
—
—
Impact of cash flow hedging relationships
Foreign exchange contracts
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in
OCI
on derivatives
—
—
—
—
264
(169
)
—
—
—
—
84
(432
)
(Decrease) increase in
Sales
as a result of
AOCI
reclassifications
(73
)
49
—
—
73
(49
)
(166
)
144
—
—
166
(144
)
(1)
Interest expense is a component of
Other (income) expense, net.
The table below provides information regarding the income statement effects of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Amount of Derivative Pretax (Gain) Loss Recognized in Income
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
($ in millions)
Income Statement Caption
2018
2017
2018
2017
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Foreign exchange contracts
(1)
Other (income) expense, net
$
(195
)
$
(3
)
$
(167
)
$
(49
)
Foreign exchange contracts
(2)
Sales
(14
)
—
(5
)
—
(1)
These derivative contracts mitigate changes in the value of remeasured foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
(2)
These derivative contracts serve as economic hedges of forecasted transactions.
At
June 30, 2018
, the Company estimates
$29 million
of pretax net unrealized gains on derivatives maturing within the next 12 months that hedge foreign currency denominated sales over that same period will be reclassified from
AOCI
to
Sales
. The amount ultimately reclassified to
Sales
may differ as foreign exchange rates change. Realized gains and losses are ultimately determined by actual exchange rates at maturity.
-
16
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities
Information on investments in debt and equity securities is as follows:
June 30, 2018
December 31, 2017
Fair
Value
Amortized
Cost
Gross Unrealized
Fair
Value
Amortized
Cost
Gross Unrealized
($ in millions)
Gains
Losses
Gains
Losses
Corporate notes and bonds
$
8,782
$
8,902
$
2
$
(122
)
$
9,806
$
9,837
$
9
$
(40
)
U.S. government and agency securities
1,620
1,640
—
(20
)
2,042
2,059
—
(17
)
Asset-backed securities
1,441
1,456
1
(16
)
1,542
1,548
1
(7
)
Foreign government bonds
649
658
—
(9
)
733
739
—
(6
)
Mortgage-backed securities
65
66
—
(1
)
626
634
1
(9
)
Commercial paper
30
30
—
—
159
159
—
—
Total debt securities
$
12,587
$
12,752
$
3
$
(168
)
$
14,908
$
14,976
$
11
$
(79
)
Publicly traded equity securities
(1)
375
275
265
16
(6
)
Total debt and publicly traded equity securities
$
12,962
$
15,183
$
15,241
$
27
$
(85
)
(1)
Pursuant to the adoption of ASU 2016-01 (see Note 1), beginning on January 1, 2018, changes in the fair value of publicly traded equity securities are recognized in net income. Unrealized net gains of
$7 million
and
$50 million
, respectively, were recognized in
Other (income) expense, net
during the
second
quarter and first
six
months of
2018
on equity securities still held at
June 30, 2018
.
At
June 30, 2018
, the Company also had
$675 million
of equity investments without readily determinable fair values included in
Other Assets
. During the first
six
months of
2018
, the Company recognized unrealized gains of
$129 million
on certain of these equity investments recorded in
Other (income) expense, net
based on favorable observable price changes from transactions involving similar investments of the same investee. In addition, during the first
six
months of
2018
, the Company recognized unrealized losses of
$26 million
in
Other (income) expense, net
related to certain of these investments based on unfavorable observable price changes.
Available-for-sale debt securities included in
Short-term investments
totaled
$2.3 billion
at
June 30, 2018
. Of the remaining debt securities,
$9.6 billion
mature within five years. At
June 30, 2018
and
December 31, 2017
, there were no debt securities pledged as collateral.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company uses a fair value hierarchy which maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. There are three levels of inputs used to measure fair value with Level 1 having the highest priority and Level 3 having the lowest:
Level 1
- Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities,
Level 2
- Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities,
Level 3
- Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity. Level 3 assets or liabilities are those whose values are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques with significant unobservable inputs, as well as assets or liabilities for which the determination of fair value requires significant judgment or estimation. If the inputs used to measure the financial assets and liabilities fall within more than one level described above, the categorization is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.
-
17
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
Fair Value Measurements Using
Fair Value Measurements Using
Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
($ in millions)
June 30, 2018
December 31, 2017
Assets
Investments
Corporate notes and bonds
$
—
$
8,684
$
—
$
8,684
$
—
$
9,678
$
—
$
9,678
U.S. government and agency securities
—
1,396
—
1,396
68
1,767
—
1,835
Asset-backed securities
(1)
—
1,394
—
1,394
—
1,476
—
1,476
Foreign government bonds
—
649
—
649
—
732
—
732
Commercial paper
—
30
—
30
—
159
—
159
Mortgage-backed securities
—
—
—
—
—
547
—
547
Publicly traded equity securities
164
—
—
164
104
—
—
104
164
12,153
—
12,317
172
14,359
—
14,531
Other assets
(2)
U.S. government and agency securities
64
160
—
224
—
207
—
207
Corporate notes and bonds
—
98
—
98
—
128
—
128
Mortgage-backed securities
—
65
—
65
—
79
—
79
Asset-backed securities
(1)
—
47
—
47
—
66
—
66
Foreign government bonds
—
—
—
—
—
1
—
1
Publicly traded equity securities
211
—
—
211
171
—
—
171
275
370
—
645
171
481
—
652
Derivative assets
(3)
Purchased currency options
—
142
—
142
—
80
—
80
Forward exchange contracts
—
302
—
302
—
48
—
48
Interest rate swaps
—
—
—
—
—
2
—
2
—
444
—
444
—
130
—
130
Total assets
$
439
$
12,967
$
—
$
13,406
$
343
$
14,970
$
—
$
15,313
Liabilities
Other liabilities
Contingent consideration
$
—
$
—
$
830
$
830
$
—
$
—
$
935
$
935
Derivative liabilities
(3)
Forward exchange contracts
—
62
—
62
—
162
—
162
Interest rate swaps
—
132
—
132
—
55
—
55
Written currency options
—
3
—
3
—
—
—
—
—
197
—
197
—
217
—
217
Total liabilities
$
—
$
197
$
830
$
1,027
$
—
$
217
$
935
$
1,152
(1)
Primarily all of the asset-backed securities are highly-rated (Standard & Poor’s rating of AAA and Moody’s Investors Service rating of Aaa), secured primarily by auto loan, credit card and student loan receivables, with weighted-average lives of primarily
5
years or less.
(2)
Investments included in other assets are restricted as to use, primarily for the payment of benefits under employee benefit plans.
(3)
The fair value determination of derivatives includes the impact of the credit risk of counterparties to the derivatives and the Company’s own credit risk, the effects of which were not significant.
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the first
six
months of
2018
. As of
June 30, 2018
,
Cash and cash equivalents
of
$5.3 billion
included
$4.5 billion
of cash equivalents (which would be considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy).
-
18
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
Contingent Consideration
Summarized information about the changes in liabilities for contingent consideration is as follows:
Six Months Ended June 30,
($ in millions)
2018
2017
Fair value January 1
$
935
$
891
Changes in fair value
(1)
122
108
Additions
8
3
Payments
(235
)
—
Fair value June 30
(2)
$
830
$
1,002
(1)
Recorded in
Research and development
expenses,
Materials and production
costs and
Other (income) expense, net
. Includes cumulative translation adjustments.
(2)
Balance at June 30, 2018 includes
$92 million
recorded as a current liability for amounts expected to be paid within the next 12 months.
The payments of contingent consideration in the first
six
months of 2018 include
$175 million
related to the achievement of a clinical milestone in connection with the 2016 acquisition of Afferent Pharmaceuticals. The remaining payments relate to liabilities recorded in connection with the 2016 termination of the Sanofi-Pasteur MSD joint venture.
Other Fair Value Measurements
Some of the Company’s financial instruments, such as cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables, are reflected in the balance sheet at carrying value, which approximates fair value due to their short-term nature.
The estimated fair value of loans payable and long-term debt (including current portion) at
June 30, 2018
, was
$23.9 billion
compared with a carrying value of
$23.3 billion
and at
December 31, 2017
, was
$25.6 billion
compared with a carrying value of
$24.4 billion
. Fair value was estimated using recent observable market prices and would be considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
On an ongoing basis, the Company monitors concentrations of credit risk associated with corporate and government issuers of securities and financial institutions with which it conducts business. Credit exposure limits are established to limit a concentration with any single issuer or institution. Cash and investments are placed in instruments that meet high credit quality standards as specified in the Company’s investment policy guidelines.
The majority of the Company’s accounts receivable arise from product sales in the United States and Europe and are primarily due from drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies, managed health care providers and pharmacy benefit managers. The Company monitors the financial performance and creditworthiness of its customers so that it can properly assess and respond to changes in their credit profile. The Company also continues to monitor global economic conditions, including the volatility associated with international sovereign economies, and associated impacts on the financial markets and its business. At
June 30, 2018
, the Company’s total net accounts receivable outstanding for more than one year were approximately
$40 million
. The Company does not expect to have write-offs or adjustments to accounts receivable which would have a material adverse effect on its financial position, liquidity or results of operations.
Derivative financial instruments are executed under International Swaps and Derivatives Association master agreements. The master agreements with several of the Company’s financial institution counterparties also include credit support annexes. These annexes contain provisions that require collateral to be exchanged depending on the value of the derivative assets and liabilities, the Company’s credit rating, and the credit rating of the counterparty. As of
June 30, 2018
and
December 31, 2017
, the Company had received cash collateral of
$90 million
and
$3 million
, respectively, from various counterparties and the obligation to return such collateral is recorded in
Accrued and other current liabilities
. The Company had not advanced any cash collateral to counterparties as of
June 30, 2018
or
December 31, 2017
.
-
19
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
7.
Inventories
Inventories consisted of:
($ in millions)
June 30, 2018
December 31, 2017
Finished goods
$
1,519
$
1,334
Raw materials and work in process
4,818
4,703
Supplies
191
201
Total (approximates current cost)
6,528
6,238
Increase to LIFO costs
11
45
$
6,539
$
6,283
Recognized as:
Inventories
$
5,178
$
5,096
Other assets
1,361
1,187
Amounts recognized as
Other assets
are comprised almost entirely of raw materials and work in process inventories. At
June 30, 2018
and
December 31, 2017
, these amounts included
$1.3 billion
and
$1.1 billion
, respectively, of inventories not expected to be sold within one year. In addition, these amounts included
$25 million
and
$80 million
at
June 30, 2018
and
December 31, 2017
, respectively, of inventories produced in preparation for product launches.
8.
Contingencies
The Company is involved in various claims and legal proceedings of a nature considered normal to its business, including product liability, intellectual property, and commercial litigation, as well as certain additional matters including governmental and environmental matters. In the opinion of the Company, it is unlikely that the resolution of these matters will be material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Given the nature of the litigation discussed below and the complexities involved in these matters, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate a possible loss or range of possible loss for such matters until the Company knows, among other factors, (i) what claims, if any, will survive dispositive motion practice, (ii) the extent of the claims, including the size of any potential class, particularly when damages are not specified or are indeterminate, (iii) how the discovery process will affect the litigation, (iv) the settlement posture of the other parties to the litigation and (v) any other factors that may have a material effect on the litigation.
The Company records accruals for contingencies when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. These accruals are adjusted periodically as assessments change or additional information becomes available. For product liability claims, a portion of the overall accrual is actuarially determined and considers such factors as past experience, number of claims reported and estimates of claims incurred but not yet reported. Individually significant contingent losses are accrued when probable and reasonably estimable. Legal defense costs expected to be incurred in connection with a loss contingency are accrued when probable and reasonably estimable.
The Company’s decision to obtain insurance coverage is dependent on market conditions, including cost and availability, existing at the time such decisions are made. The Company has evaluated its risks and has determined that the cost of obtaining product liability insurance outweighs the likely benefits of the coverage that is available and, as such, has no insurance for most product liabilities effective August 1, 2004.
Product Liability Litigation
Fosamax
As previously disclosed, Merck is a defendant in product liability lawsuits in the United States involving
Fosamax
(
Fosamax
Litigation). As of
June 30, 2018
, approximately
3,975
cases are filed and pending against Merck in either federal or state court. In approximately
10
of these actions, plaintiffs allege, among other things, that they have suffered osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), generally subsequent to invasive dental procedures, such as tooth extraction or dental implants and/or delayed healing, in association with the use of
Fosamax
. In addition, plaintiffs in approximately
3,965
of these actions generally allege that they sustained femur fractures and/or other bone injuries (Femur Fractures) in association with the use of
Fosamax
.
Cases Alleging ONJ and/or Other Jaw Related Injuries
In August 2006, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) ordered that certain
Fosamax
product liability cases pending in federal courts nationwide should be transferred and consolidated into one multidistrict litigation (
Fosamax
ONJ MDL) for coordinated pre-trial proceedings.
-
20
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
In 2014, Merck settled approximately
95%
of the ONJ cases pending in the
Fosamax
ONJ MDL and in state courts for a payment of
$27.3 million
. The escrow agent under the agreement has been making settlement payments to qualifying plaintiffs. The ONJ Master Settlement Agreement has no effect on the cases alleging Femur Fractures discussed below. The
Fosamax
ONJ MDL was closed in June 2018.
Discovery is currently ongoing in some of the approximately
10
remaining ONJ cases that are pending in various federal and state courts and the Company intends to defend against these lawsuits.
Cases Alleging Femur Fractures
In March 2011, Merck submitted a Motion to Transfer to the JPML seeking to have all federal cases alleging Femur Fractures consolidated into one multidistrict litigation for coordinated pre-trial proceedings. All federal cases involving allegations of Femur Fracture have been or will be transferred to a multidistrict litigation in the District of New Jersey (Femur Fracture MDL). In the only bellwether case tried to date in the Femur Fracture MDL,
Glynn v. Merck
, the jury returned a verdict in Merck’s favor. In addition, in June 2013, the Femur Fracture MDL court granted Merck’s motion for judgment as a matter of law in the
Glynn
case and held that the plaintiff’s failure to warn claim was preempted by federal law.
In August 2013, the Femur Fracture MDL court entered an order requiring plaintiffs in the Femur Fracture MDL to show cause why those cases asserting claims for a femur fracture injury that took place prior to September 14, 2010, should not be dismissed based on the court’s preemption decision in the
Glynn
case. Pursuant to the show cause order, in March 2014, the Femur Fracture MDL court dismissed with prejudice approximately
650
cases on preemption grounds. Plaintiffs in approximately
515
of those cases appealed that decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (Third Circuit). In March 2017, the Third Circuit issued a decision reversing the Femur Fracture MDL court’s preemption ruling and remanding the appealed cases back to the Femur Fracture MDL court. Merck filed a petition for a writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court in August 2017 seeking review of the Third Circuit’s decision. In December 2017, the Supreme Court invited the Solicitor General to file a brief in the case expressing the views of the United States, and in May 2018, the Solicitor General submitted a brief stating that the Third Circuit’s decision was wrongly decided and recommended that the Supreme Court grant Merck’s cert petition. The Supreme Court granted Merck’s petition in June 2018, and final decision on the Femur Fracture MDL court’s preemption ruling is now pending before the Supreme Court.
In addition, in June 2014, the Femur Fracture MDL court granted Merck summary judgment in the
Gaynor v. Merck
case and found that Merck’s updates in January 2011 to the
Fosamax
label regarding atypical femur fractures were adequate as a matter of law and that Merck adequately communicated those changes. The plaintiffs in
Gaynor
did not appeal the Femur Fracture MDL court’s findings with respect to the adequacy of the 2011 label change, but did appeal the dismissal of their case based on preemption grounds and a final decision on that issue is now pending before the Supreme Court. In August 2014, Merck filed a motion requesting that the Femur Fracture MDL court enter a further order requiring all plaintiffs in the Femur Fracture MDL who claim that the 2011
Fosamax
label is inadequate and the proximate cause of their alleged injuries to show cause why their cases should not be dismissed based on the court’s preemption decision and its ruling in the
Gaynor
case. In November 2014, the court granted Merck’s motion and entered the requested show cause order. No plaintiffs responded to or appealed the November 2014 show cause order.
As of
June 30, 2018
, approximately
300
cases were pending in the Femur Fracture MDL following the reinstatement of the cases that had been on appeal to the Third Circuit. In addition, approximately
755
cases have been dismissed without prejudice pending final resolution by the Supreme Court of the appeal of the Femur Fracture MDL court’s preemption order.
As of
June 30, 2018
, approximately
2,630
cases alleging Femur Fractures have been filed in New Jersey state court and are pending before Judge James Hyland in Middlesex County. The parties selected an initial group of
30
cases to be reviewed through fact discovery. Two additional groups of
50
cases each to be reviewed through fact discovery were selected in November 2013 and March 2014, respectively. A further group of
25
cases to be reviewed through fact discovery was selected by Merck in July 2015, and Merck has continued to select additional cases to be reviewed through fact discovery from 2016 to the present.
As of
June 30, 2018
, approximately
275
cases alleging Femur Fractures have been filed and are pending in California state court. All of the Femur Fracture cases filed in California state court have been coordinated before a single judge in Orange County, California. In March 2014, the court directed that a group of
10
discovery pool cases be reviewed through fact discovery and subsequently scheduled the
Galper v. Merck
case, which plaintiffs selected, as the first trial. The
Galper
trial began in February 2015 and the jury returned a verdict in Merck’s favor in April 2015, and plaintiff appealed that verdict to the California appellate court. In April 2017, the California appellate court issued a decision affirming the lower court’s judgment in favor of Merck. The next Femur Fracture trial in California that was scheduled to begin in April 2016 was stayed at plaintiffs’ request and a new trial date has not been set.
Additionally, there are
four
Femur Fracture cases pending in other state courts.
Discovery is ongoing in the Femur Fracture MDL and in state courts where Femur Fracture cases are pending and the Company intends to defend against these lawsuits.
-
21
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
Januvia/Janumet
As previously disclosed, Merck is a defendant in product liability lawsuits in the United States involving
Januvia
and/or
Janumet
. As of
June 30, 2018
, Merck is aware of approximately
1,260
product user claims alleging generally that use of
Januvia
and/or
Janumet
caused the development of pancreatic cancer and other injuries. These complaints were filed in several different state and federal courts.
Most of the claims were filed in a consolidated multidistrict litigation proceeding in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California called “In re Incretin-Based Therapies Products Liability Litigation” (MDL). The MDL includes federal lawsuits alleging pancreatic cancer due to use of the following medicines:
Januvia, Janumet
, Byetta and Victoza, the latter two of which are products manufactured by other pharmaceutical companies. The majority of claims not filed in the MDL were filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (California State Court).
In November 2015, the MDL and California State Court - in separate opinions - granted summary judgment to defendants on grounds of preemption. Of the approximately
1,260
product user claims, these rulings resulted in the dismissal of approximately
1,100
product user claims.
Plaintiffs appealed the MDL and California State Court preemption rulings. In November 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit) reversed the trial court’s ruling in the MDL and remanded for further proceedings. The Ninth Circuit did not address the substance of defendants’ preemption argument but instead ruled that the district court made various errors during discovery. Jurisdiction returned to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on January 2, 2018. The preemption appeal in the California state court litigation has been fully briefed, but the court has not yet scheduled oral argument.
On March 21, 2018, the district court in the MDL entered a case management order setting forth a schedule for completing discovery on general causation and preemption issues and for renewing summary judgment and
Daubert
motions. The filing deadline for
Daubert
and summary judgment motions is set for December 11, 2018.
As of
June 30, 2018
,
seven
product users have claims pending against Merck in state courts other than California state court, including
four
active product user claims pending in Illinois state court. In June 2017, the Illinois trial court denied Merck’s motion for summary judgment on grounds of preemption. Merck sought permission to appeal that order on an interlocutory basis and was granted a stay of proceedings in the trial court. In September 2017, an intermediate appellate court in Illinois denied Merck’s petition for interlocutory review. Merck filed a petition for review with the Illinois Supreme Court and, on January 18, 2018, the Illinois Supreme Court directed the appellate court to answer the certified question. Briefing in the intermediate appellate court has concluded. Proceedings in the trial court remain stayed.
In addition to the claims noted above, the Company has agreed to toll the statute of limitations for approximately
50
additional claims. The Company intends to continue defending against these lawsuits.
Propecia/Proscar
As previously disclosed, Merck is a defendant in product liability lawsuits in the United States involving
Propecia
and/or
Proscar
. As of
June 30, 2018
, there were approximately
600
active lawsuits filed by plaintiffs who allege that they have experienced persistent sexual side effects following cessation of treatment with
Propecia
and/or
Proscar
. Approximately
15
of the plaintiffs also allege that
Propecia
or
Proscar
has caused or can cause prostate cancer, testicular cancer or male breast cancer. The lawsuits have been filed in various federal courts and in state court in New Jersey. The federal lawsuits have been consolidated for pretrial purposes in a federal multidistrict litigation before Judge Brian Cogan of the Eastern District of New York. The matters pending in state court in New Jersey have been consolidated before Judge Hyland in Middlesex County (NJ Coordinated Proceedings). In addition, there is
one
matter pending in state court in California,
one
matter pending in state court in Ohio, and
one
matter pending in state court in Massachusetts.
As previously disclosed, on April 9, 2018, Merck and the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in the MDL and the Plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel in the NJ Coordinated Proceedings entered into an agreement to resolve the above mentioned
Propecia/Proscar
lawsuits for an aggregate amount of
$4.3 million
. The settlement is subject to certain contingencies, including
95%
plaintiff participation and a per plaintiff clawback if the participation rate is less than
100%
.
The Company intends to defend against any remaining unsettled lawsuits.
Governmental Proceedings
As previously disclosed, the Company’s subsidiaries in China have received and may continue to receive inquiries regarding their operations from various Chinese governmental agencies. Some of these inquiries may be related to matters involving other multinational pharmaceutical companies, as well as Chinese entities doing business with such companies. The Company’s policy is to cooperate with these authorities and to provide responses as appropriate.
-
22
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
As previously disclosed, from time to time, the Company receives inquiries and is the subject of preliminary investigation activities from competition and other governmental authorities in markets outside the United States. These authorities may include regulators, administrative authorities, and law enforcement and other similar officials, and these preliminary investigation activities may include site visits, formal or informal requests or demands for documents or materials, inquiries or interviews and similar matters. Certain of these preliminary inquiries or activities may lead to the commencement of formal proceedings. Should those proceedings be determined adversely to the Company, monetary fines and/or remedial undertakings may be required.
Commercial and Other Litigation
Merck KGaA Litigation
In January 2016, to protect its long-established brand rights in the United States, the Company filed a lawsuit against Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany (KGaA), historically operating as the EMD Group in the United States, alleging it improperly uses the name “Merck” in the United States. KGaA has filed suit against the Company in France, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, India, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and China alleging, among other things, unfair competition, trademark infringement and corporate name infringement. In the UK, Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, KGaA also alleges breach of the parties’ coexistence agreement. In December 2015, the Paris Court of First Instance issued a judgment finding that certain activities by the Company directed towards France did not constitute trademark infringement and unfair competition while other activities were found to infringe. The Company and KGaA appealed the decision, and the appeal was heard in May 2017. In June 2017, the French appeals court held that certain of the activities by the Company directed to France constituted unfair competition or trademark infringement and no further appeal was pursued. In January 2016, the UK High Court issued a judgment finding that the Company had breached the co-existence agreement and infringed KGaA’s trademark rights as a result of certain activities directed towards the UK based on use of the word MERCK on promotional and information activity. As noted in the UK decision, this finding was not based on the Company’s use of the sign MERCK in connection with the sale of products or any material pharmaceutical business transacted in the UK. The Company and KGaA have both appealed this decision, and the appeal was heard in June 2017. In November 2017, the UK Court of Appeals affirmed the decision on the co-existence agreement and remitted for re-hearing issues of trademark infringement, the scope of KGaA’s UK trademarks for pharmaceutical products, and the relief to which KGaA would be entitled. The re-hearing was held, and no decision has been handed down.
In re Rotavirus Vaccines Antitrust Litigation
On April 25 and May 2, 2018, Sugartown Pediatrics, LLC and Schwartz Pediatrics, respectively, filed putative class actions against Merck in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on behalf of all direct purchasers of
RotaTeq
from April 25, 2014 through present, alleging that Merck violated Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act. On June 15, 2018, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint, substituting MSD as the defendant, and on July 23, Margiotti & Kroll Pediatrics, P.C. filed a substantially similar complaint in the consolidated proceeding. Plaintiffs allege that MSD has implemented an anticompetitive vaccine bundling scheme whereby MSD leverages its monopoly power in multiple pediatric vaccine markets to maintain its monopoly power in the U.S. market for rotavirus vaccines. Plaintiffs seek to recover unspecified overcharge damages on their purchases of
RotaTeq,
trebled, and fees and costs.
Patent Litigation
From time to time, generic manufacturers of pharmaceutical products file abbreviated New Drug Applications with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking to market generic forms of the Company’s products prior to the expiration of relevant patents owned by the Company. To protect its patent rights, the Company may file patent infringement lawsuits against such generic companies. Similar lawsuits defending the Company’s patent rights may exist in other countries. The Company intends to vigorously defend its patents, which it believes are valid, against infringement by companies attempting to market products prior to the expiration of such patents. As with any litigation, there can be no assurance of the outcomes, which, if adverse, could result in significantly shortened periods of exclusivity for these products and, with respect to products acquired through acquisitions, potentially significant intangible asset impairment charges.
Inegy
—
The patents protecting
Inegy
in Europe have expired but supplemental protection certificates (SPCs) have been granted to the Company in many European countries that will expire in April 2019. There are multiple challenges to the SPCs related to
Inegy
throughout Europe and generic products have been launched in France, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Norway and Netherlands. The Company has filed for preliminary injunctions in many countries that are still pending decision. Preliminary injunctions have been granted in Germany and Portugal. Preliminary injunctions have been denied in France, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands and the Czech Republic. The Company is appealing those decisions. The Company will file actions for patent infringement seeking damages against those companies that launch generic products before April 2019.
Noxafil
—
In August 2015, the Company filed a lawsuit against Actavis Laboratories Fl, Inc. (Actavis) in the United States in respect of that company’s application to the FDA seeking pre-patent expiry approval to sell a generic version of
Noxafil
. In October 2017, the district court held the patent valid and infringed. Actavis appealed this decision. While the appeal was pending, the parties reached a settlement, subject to certain terms of the agreement being met, whereby Actavis can launch its generic version
-
23
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
prior to expiry of the patent and pediatric exclusivity under certain conditions. In March 2016, the Company filed a lawsuit against Roxane Laboratories, Inc. (Roxane) in the United States in respect of that company’s application to the FDA seeking pre-patent expiry approval to sell a generic version of
Noxafil
. In November 2017, the parties reached a settlement whereby Roxane can launch its generic version prior to expiry of the patent under certain conditions. In February 2016, the Company filed a lawsuit against Par Sterile Products LLC, Par Pharmaceutical, Inc., Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc. and Par Pharmaceutical Holdings, Inc. (collectively, Par) in the United States in respect of that company’s application to the FDA seeking pre-patent expiry approval to sell a generic version of
Noxafil
injection. In October 2016, the parties reached a settlement whereby Par can launch its generic version in January 2023, or earlier under certain conditions. In February 2018, the Company filed a lawsuit against Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC., in the United States in respect of that company’s application to the FDA seeking pre-patent expiry approval to sell a generic version of
Noxafil.
In March 2018, the Company filed a lawsuit against Mylan Laboratories Limited in the United States in respect of that company’s application to the FDA seeking pre-patent expiry approval to sell a generic version of
Noxafil
.
Nasonex
—
Nasonex
lost market exclusivity in the United States in 2016. Prior to that, in April 2015, the Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Apotex Inc. and Apotex Corp. (Apotex) in respect of Apotex’s marketed product that the Company believed was infringing. In January 2018, the Company and Apotex settled this matter with Apotex agreeing to pay the Company
$115 million
plus certain other consideration.
Gilead Patent Litigation and Opposition
In August 2013, Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeking a declaration that two Company patents were invalid and not infringed by the sale of their two sofosbuvir containing products, Sovaldi and Harvoni. The Company filed a counterclaim that the sale of these products did infringe these two patents and sought a reasonable royalty for the past, present and future sales of these products. In March 2016, at the conclusion of a jury trial, the patents were found to be not invalid and infringed. The jury awarded the Company
$200 million
as a royalty for sales of these products up to December 2015. After the conclusion of the jury trial, the court held a bench trial on the equitable defenses raised by Gilead. In June 2016, the court found for Gilead and determined that Merck could not collect the jury award and that the patents were unenforceable with respect to Gilead. The Company appealed the court’s decision. Gilead also asked the court to overturn the jury’s decision on validity. The court held a hearing on Gilead’s motion in August 2016, and the court subsequently rejected Gilead’s request, which Gilead appealed. In April 2018, the appeals court affirmed the decisions that both patents were unenforceable against Gilead.
The Company, through its Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. subsidiary, has pending litigation against Gilead in the United States, Germany and France based on different patent estates that would also be infringed by Gilead’s sales of these two products. Gilead opposed the European patent at the European Patent Office (EPO). Trial in the United States was held in December 2016 and the jury returned a verdict for the Company, awarding damages of
$2.54 billion
. The Company submitted post-trial motions, including on the issues of enhanced damages and future royalties. Gilead submitted post-trial motions for judgment as a matter of law. A hearing on the motions was held in September 2017. Also, in September 2017, the court denied the Company’s motion on enhanced damages, granted its motion on prejudgment interest and deferred its motion on future royalties. In February 2018, the court granted Gilead’s motion for judgment as a matter of law and found the patent was invalid for a lack of enablement. The Company appealed this decision. The EPO opposition division revoked the European patent, and the Company appealed this decision. The cases in France and Germany have been stayed pending the final decision of the EPO.
Other Litigation
There are various other pending legal proceedings involving the Company, principally product liability and intellectual property lawsuits. While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of such proceedings, in the opinion of the Company, either the likelihood of loss is remote or any reasonably possible loss associated with the resolution of such proceedings is not expected to be material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows either individually or in the aggregate.
Legal Defense Reserves
Legal defense costs expected to be incurred in connection with a loss contingency are accrued when probable and reasonably estimable. Some of the significant factors considered in the review of these legal defense reserves are as follows: the actual costs incurred by the Company; the development of the Company’s legal defense strategy and structure in light of the scope of its litigation; the number of cases being brought against the Company; the costs and outcomes of completed trials and the most current information regarding anticipated timing, progression, and related costs of pre-trial activities and trials in the associated litigation. The amount of legal defense reserves as of
June 30, 2018
and
December 31, 2017
of approximately
$155 million
and
$160 million
, respectively, represents the Company’s best estimate of the minimum amount of defense costs to be incurred in connection with its outstanding litigation; however, events such as additional trials and other events that could arise in the course of its litigation could affect the ultimate amount of legal defense costs to be incurred by the Company. The Company will continue
-
24
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
to monitor its legal defense costs and review the adequacy of the associated reserves and may determine to increase the reserves at any time in the future if, based upon the factors set forth, it believes it would be appropriate to do so.
9.
Equity
Common Stock
Other
Paid-In
Capital
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Treasury Stock
Non-
Controlling
Interests
Total
($ and shares in millions)
Shares
Par Value
Shares
Cost
Balance at January 1, 2017
3,577
$
1,788
$
39,939
$
44,133
$
(5,226
)
828
$
(40,546
)
$
220
$
40,308
Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
—
—
—
3,496
—
—
—
—
3,496
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes
—
—
—
—
132
—
—
—
132
Cash dividends declared on common stock
—
—
—
(2,583
)
—
—
—
—
(2,583
)
Treasury stock shares purchased
—
—
—
—
—
34
(2,153
)
—
(2,153
)
Share-based compensation plans and other
—
—
(163
)
—
—
(12
)
646
—
483
Acquisition of Vallée
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
25
25
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
11
11
Other changes in noncontrolling ownership interests
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(7
)
(7
)
Balance at June 30, 2017
3,577
$
1,788
$
39,776
$
45,046
$
(5,094
)
850
$
(42,053
)
$
249
$
39,712
Balance at January 1, 2018
3,577
$
1,788
$
39,902
$
41,350
$
(4,910
)
880
$
(43,794
)
$
233
$
34,569
Adoption of new accounting standards (see Note 1)
—
—
—
322
(274
)
—
—
—
48
Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
—
—
—
2,443
—
—
—
—
2,443
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes
—
—
—
—
62
—
—
—
62
Cash dividends declared on common stock
—
—
—
(2,592
)
—
—
—
—
(2,592
)
Treasury stock shares purchased
—
—
—
—
—
37
(2,162
)
—
(2,162
)
Share-based compensation plans and other
—
—
(161
)
—
—
(10
)
555
—
394
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
14
14
Distributions attributable to noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(10
)
(10
)
Balance at June 30, 2018
3,577
$
1,788
$
39,741
$
41,523
$
(5,122
)
907
$
(45,401
)
$
237
$
32,766
10.
Share-Based Compensation Plans
The Company has share-based compensation plans under which the Company grants restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance share units (PSUs) to certain management level employees. In addition, employees and non-employee directors may be granted options to purchase shares of Company common stock at the fair market value at the time of grant.
The following table provides the amounts of share-based compensation cost recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income:
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
($ in millions)
2018
2017
2018
2017
Pretax share-based compensation expense
$
90
$
82
$
170
$
156
Income tax benefit
(13
)
(25
)
(28
)
(47
)
Total share-based compensation expense, net of taxes
$
77
$
57
$
142
$
109
During the first
six
months of
2018
and
2017
, the Company granted
7 million
RSUs with a weighted-average grant date fair value of
$58.15
per RSU and
5 million
RSUs with a weighted-average grant date fair value of
$63.97
per RSU, respectively. During the first
six
months of
2018
and
2017
, the Company granted
855 thousand
PSUs with a weighted-average grant date fair value of
$56.70
per PSU and
1 million
PSUs with a weighted-average grant date fair value of
$63.62
per PSU, respectively.
During the first
six
months of
2018
and
2017
, the Company granted
3 million
stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of
$57.72
per option and
4 million
stock options with a weighted-average exercise price of
$63.98
per option, respectively. The weighted-average fair value of options granted for the first
six
months of
2018
and
2017
was
$8.19
and
$7.05
per option, respectively, and was determined using the following assumptions:
-
25
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2018
2017
Expected dividend yield
3.4
%
3.6
%
Risk-free interest rate
2.8
%
2.0
%
Expected volatility
19.1
%
17.9
%
Expected life (years)
6.1
6.1
At
June 30, 2018
, there was
$758 million
of total pretax unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested stock options, RSU and PSU awards which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of
2.3 years
. For segment reporting, share-based compensation costs are unallocated expenses.
11.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
The Company has defined benefit pension plans covering eligible employees in the United States and in certain of its international subsidiaries. The net periodic benefit cost (credit) of such plans consisted of the following components:
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2018
2017
2018
2017
($ in millions)
U.S.
International
U.S.
International
U.S.
International
U.S.
International
Service cost
$
85
$
58
$
77
$
63
$
168
$
125
$
154
$
124
Interest cost
107
45
113
42
215
91
226
83
Expected return on plan assets
(211
)
(108
)
(218
)
(97
)
(425
)
(221
)
(436
)
(191
)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service credit
(13
)
(3
)
(13
)
(3
)
(25
)
(7
)
(27
)
(5
)
Net loss amortization
56
21
44
24
112
43
89
47
Termination benefits
7
—
3
1
17
—
8
2
Curtailments
5
(1
)
1
(1
)
3
(1
)
4
(1
)
Settlements
—
4
—
—
1
4
—
—
$
36
$
16
$
7
$
29
$
66
$
34
$
18
$
59
The Company provides medical benefits, principally to its eligible U.S. retirees and similar benefits to their dependents, through its other postretirement benefit plans. The net cost (credit) of such plans consisted of the following components:
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
($ in millions)
2018
2017
2018
2017
Service cost
$
14
$
14
$
28
$
28
Interest cost
18
20
35
40
Expected return on plan assets
(21
)
(20
)
(41
)
(39
)
Amortization of unrecognized prior service credit
(21
)
(24
)
(42
)
(49
)
Termination benefits
1
—
2
1
Curtailments
(2
)
(2
)
(6
)
(5
)
$
(11
)
$
(12
)
$
(24
)
$
(24
)
In connection with restructuring actions (see Note 5), termination charges were recorded on pension and other postretirement benefit plans related to expanded eligibility for certain employees exiting Merck. Also, in connection with these restructuring actions, curtailments were recorded on pension and other postretirement benefit plans as reflected in the tables above.
The components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) other than the service cost component are included in
Other (income) expense, net
(see Note 12), with the exception of certain amounts for termination benefits, curtailments and settlements, which are recorded in
Restructuring costs
if the event giving rise to the termination benefits, curtailment or settlement is related to restructuring actions as noted above.
-
26
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
12.
Other (Income) Expense, Net
Other (income) expense, net, consisted of:
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
($ in millions)
2018
2017
2018
2017
Interest income
$
(81
)
$
(96
)
$
(165
)
$
(194
)
Interest expense
194
193
379
375
Exchange losses
71
19
77
11
Equity (gains) losses from affiliates
(64
)
(5
)
(12
)
8
Net periodic defined benefit plan (credit) cost other than service cost
(130
)
(131
)
(265
)
(260
)
Other, net
(38
)
(53
)
(354
)
(83
)
$
(48
)
$
(73
)
$
(340
)
$
(143
)
Other, net (as reflected in the table above) in the first
six
months of 2018 includes a
$115 million
gain on the settlement of certain patent litigation (see Note 8).
Interest paid for the
six
months ended
June 30, 2018
and
2017
was
$341 million
and
$343 million
, respectively.
13.
Taxes on Income
The effective income tax rates of
17.8%
and
20.0%
for the
second
quarter of
2018
and
2017
, respectively, and
28.4%
and
21.0%
for the first
six
months of 2018 and 2017, respectively, reflect the impacts of acquisition and divestiture-related costs and restructuring costs, partially offset by the beneficial impact of foreign earnings. In addition, the effective income tax rate for the first
six
months of 2018 reflects the unfavorable impact of a
$1.4 billion
aggregate pretax charge recorded in connection with the formation of an oncology collaboration with Eisai for which no tax benefit was recognized. The effective income tax rates for the second quarter and first
six
months of 2017 also reflect a benefit of
$88 million
related to the settlement of a state income tax issue.
On December 22, 2017, new U.S. tax legislation known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) was enacted. Among other provisions, the TCJA reduced the U.S. federal corporate statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018, requires companies to pay a one-time transition tax on undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries, and creates new taxes on certain foreign sourced earnings. The Company reflected the impact of the TCJA in its 2017 financial statements as described below. However, application of certain provisions of the TCJA was and remains subject to further interpretation and in these instances the Company made a reasonable estimate of the effects of the TCJA. No changes to these amounts were recognized in the first
six
months of 2018 and they remain provisional.
The one-time transition tax is based on the Company’s post-1986 undistributed earnings and profits (E&P). For a substantial portion of these undistributed E&P, the Company had not previously provided deferred taxes as these earnings were deemed by Merck to be retained indefinitely by subsidiary companies for reinvestment. The Company recorded a provisional amount for its one-time transition tax liability of
$5.3 billion
. Merck has not yet finalized its calculation of the total post-1986 undistributed E&P for these foreign subsidiaries. The transition tax is based in part on the amount of undistributed E&P held in cash and other specified assets; therefore, this amount may change when the Company finalizes its calculation of post-1986 undistributed foreign E&P and finalizes the amounts held in cash or other specified assets. This provisional amount was reduced by the reversal of
$2.0 billion
of deferred taxes that were previously recorded in connection with the merger of Schering-Plough Corporation in 2009 for certain undistributed foreign E&P. The Company anticipates that it will be able to utilize certain foreign tax credits to partially reduce the transition tax payment, resulting in a net transition tax payment of
$5.1 billion
.
The Company remeasured its deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new federal statutory tax rate of 21%, which resulted in a provisional deferred tax benefit of
$779 million
. The deferred tax benefit calculation remains subject to certain clarifications, particularly related to executive compensation and benefits.
Beginning in 2018, the TCJA includes a tax on “global intangible low-taxed income” (GILTI) as defined in the TCJA. The Company is allowed to make an accounting policy election to account for the tax effects of the GILTI tax either in the income tax provision in future periods as the tax arises, or as a component of deferred taxes on the related investments in foreign subsidiaries. The Company is currently evaluating the GILTI provisions of the TCJA and the implications on its tax provision and has not finalized the accounting policy election; therefore, the Company has not recorded deferred taxes for GILTI.
-
27
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
14.
Earnings Per Share
The calculations of earnings per share are as follows:
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
($ and shares in millions except per share amounts)
2018
2017
2018
2017
Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
$
1,707
$
1,946
$
2,443
$
3,496
Average common shares outstanding
2,683
2,734
2,689
2,739
Common shares issuable
(1)
13
18
13
20
Average common shares outstanding assuming dilution
2,696
2,752
2,702
2,759
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. common shareholders
$
0.64
$
0.71
$
0.91
$
1.28
Earnings per common share assuming dilution attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. common shareholders
$
0.63
$
0.71
$
0.90
$
1.27
(1)
Issuable primarily under share-based compensation plans.
For the three months ended
June 30, 2018
and
2017
,
13 million
and
5 million
, respectively, and for the first
six
months of 2018 and 2017,
15 million
and
4 million
, respectively, of common shares issuable under share-based compensation plans were excluded from the computation of earnings per common share assuming dilution because the effect would have been antidilutive.
15.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Changes in
AOCI
by component are as follows:
Three Months Ended June 30,
($ in millions)
Derivatives
Investments
Employee
Benefit
Plans
Cumulative
Translation
Adjustment
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance April 1, 2017, net of taxes
$
106
$
40
$
(3,180
)
$
(2,046
)
$
(5,080
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments, pretax
(169
)
26
29
(25
)
(139
)
Tax
59
3
(3
)
72
131
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments, net of taxes
(110
)
29
26
47
(8
)
Reclassification adjustments, pretax
(50
)
(1)
8
(2)
27
(3)
—
(15
)
Tax
17
(2
)
(6
)
—
9
Reclassification adjustments, net of taxes
(33
)
6
21
—
(6
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
(143
)
35
47
47
(14
)
Balance June 30, 2017, net of taxes
$
(37
)
$
75
$
(3,133
)
$
(1,999
)
$
(5,094
)
Balance April 1, 2018, net of taxes
$
(201
)
$
(167
)
$
(3,095
)
$
(1,597
)
$
(5,060
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments, pretax
265
(17
)
(1
)
(301
)
(54
)
Tax
(56
)
—
1
(60
)
(115
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments, net of taxes
209
(17
)
—
(361
)
(169
)
Reclassification adjustments, pretax
72
(1)
20
(2)
40
(3)
—
132
Tax
(15
)
—
(10
)
—
(25
)
Reclassification adjustments, net of taxes
57
20
30
—
107
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
266
3
30
(361
)
(62
)
Balance June 30, 2018, net of taxes
$
65
$
(164
)
$
(3,065
)
$
(1,958
)
$
(5,122
)
-
28
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
Six Months Ended June 30,
($ in millions)
Derivatives
Investments
Employee
Benefit
Plans
Cumulative
Translation
Adjustment
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance January 1, 2017, net of taxes
$
338
$
(3
)
$
(3,206
)
$
(2,355
)
$
(5,226
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments, pretax
(432
)
113
25
238
(56
)
Tax
151
(4
)
6
118
271
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments, net of taxes
(281
)
109
31
356
215
Reclassification adjustments, pretax
(145
)
(1)
(49
)
(2)
55
(3)
—
(139
)
Tax
51
18
(13
)
—
56
Reclassification adjustments, net of taxes
(94
)
(31
)
42
—
(83
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
(375
)
78
73
356
132
Balance June 30, 2017, net of taxes
$
(37
)
$
75
$
(3,133
)
$
(1,999
)
$
(5,094
)
Balance January 1, 2018, net of taxes
$
(108
)
$
(61
)
$
(2,787
)
$
(1,954
)
$
(4,910
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments, pretax
84
(133
)
(2
)
18
(33
)
Tax
(18
)
1
4
(122
)
(135
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification adjustments, net of taxes
66
(132
)
2
(104
)
(168
)
Reclassification adjustments, pretax
164
(1)
36
(2)
81
(3)
—
281
Tax
(34
)
—
(17
)
—
(51
)
Reclassification adjustments, net of taxes
130
36
64
—
230
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
196
(96
)
66
(104
)
62
Reclassification of provisional stranded tax effects (see Note 1)
(23
)
1
(344
)
100
(266
)
Adoption of ASU 2016-01 (see Note 1)
—
(8
)
—
—
(8
)
Balance June 30, 2018, net of taxes
$
65
$
(164
)
$
(3,065
)
$
(1,958
)
$
(5,122
)
(1)
Relates to foreign currency cash flow hedges that were reclassified from AOCI to Sales.
(2)
Represents net realized (gains) losses on the sales of available-for-sale investments that were reclassified from
AOCI
to
Other (income) expense, net
. In 2017, these amounts included both debt and equity investments; however, upon adoption of ASU 2016-01 in 2018 (see Note 1), these amounts relate only to available-for-sale debt investments.
(3)
Includes net amortization of prior service cost and actuarial gains and losses included in net periodic benefit cost (see Note 11).
16.
Segment Reporting
The Company’s operations are principally managed on a products basis and include
four
operating segments, which are the Pharmaceutical, Animal Health, Healthcare Services and Alliances segments. The Pharmaceutical and Animal Health segments are the only reportable segments. The Animal Health segment met the criteria for separate reporting and became a reportable segment in the first quarter of 2018.
The Pharmaceutical segment includes human health pharmaceutical and vaccine products. Human health pharmaceutical products consist of therapeutic and preventive agents, generally sold by prescription, for the treatment of human disorders. The Company sells these human health pharmaceutical products primarily to drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies and managed health care providers such as health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and other institutions. Vaccine products consist of preventive pediatric, adolescent and adult vaccines, primarily administered at physician offices. The Company sells these human health vaccines primarily to physicians, wholesalers, physician distributors and government entities. A large component of pediatric and adolescent vaccine sales are made to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccines for Children program, which is funded by the U.S. government. Additionally, the Company sells vaccines to the Federal government for placement into vaccine stockpiles.
The Company’s Animal Health segment discovers, develops, manufactures and markets animal health products, including vaccines, which the Company sells to veterinarians, distributors and animal producers.
The Company’s Healthcare Services segment provides services and solutions that focus on engagement, health analytics and clinical services to improve the value of care delivered to patients.
-
29
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
Sales of the Company’s products were as follows:
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2018
2017
2018
2017
($ in millions)
U.S.
Int’l
Total
U.S.
Int’l
Total
U.S.
Int’l
Total
U.S.
Int’l
Total
Pharmaceutical:
Oncology
Keytruda
$
959
$
707
$
1,667
$
556
$
325
$
881
$
1,797
$
1,333
$
3,131
$
917
$
547
$
1,465
Emend
89
59
148
83
60
143
168
105
273
169
107
276
Temodar
1
54
56
3
61
65
2
111
113
4
126
130
Alliance revenue - Lynparza
31
13
44
—
—
—
55
22
76
—
—
—
Alliance revenue - Lenvima
—
35
35
—
—
—
—
35
35
—
—
—
Vaccines
Gardasil/Gardasil
9
302
306
608
312
156
469
682
586
1,269
711
290
1,001
ProQuad/M-M-R
II
/Varivax
356
70
426
341
58
399
668
150
818
639
115
754
Pneumovax
23
122
71
193
104
61
166
234
137
372
219
110
329
RotaTeq
99
57
156
72
51
123
250
99
349
251
96
347
Zostavax
1
43
44
107
52
160
17
91
108
216
97
313
Hospital Acute Care
Bridion
95
145
240
54
109
163
175
269
444
99
211
310
Noxafil
87
100
188
77
78
155
168
195
363
142
154
296
Invanz
87
63
149
93
57
150
177
123
300
175
111
286
Cubicin
48
46
94
53
50
103
95
97
192
107
92
198
Cancidas
4
83
87
6
106
112
7
171
178
11
222
233
Primaxin
—
68
68
1
70
71
5
135
140
2
132
133
Immunology
Simponi
—
233
233
—
199
199
—
464
464
—
383
383
Remicade
—
157
157
—
208
208
—
324
324
—
437
437
Neuroscience
Belsomra
29
42
71
25
28
52
52
73
125
45
49
94
Virology
Isentress/Isentress
HD
132
174
305
136
146
282
260
326
586
279
308
587
Zepatier
(10
)
123
113
256
261
517
(10
)
253
243
455
440
895
Cardiovascular
Zetia
8
218
226
122
246
367
25
505
531
233
468
701
Vytorin
3
152
155
30
152
182
11
311
322
120
303
423
Atozet
—
101
101
—
63
63
—
174
174
—
112
112
Adempas
—
75
75
—
67
67
—
143
143
—
151
151
Diabetes
Januvia
503
446
949
541
407
948
968
862
1,829
1,048
740
1,787
Janumet
209
377
585
248
315
563
401
729
1,129
442
617
1,059
Women’s Health
NuvaRing
187
49
236
153
47
199
357
95
452
265
94
359
Implanon/Nexplanon
114
60
174
125
53
178
242
106
348
257
92
349
Diversified Brands
Singulair
5
180
185
6
197
203
11
350
360
12
377
389
Cozaar/Hyzaar
7
118
125
3
116
119
14
231
245
6
226
231
Nasonex
—
81
81
21
64
85
2
201
203
39
185
224
Arcoxia
—
84
84
—
89
89
—
166
166
—
192
192
Follistim AQ
27
43
70
32
47
79
56
81
138
74
86
160
Fosamax
3
56
59
2
65
66
1
113
114
3
124
127
Dulera
35
7
42
63
5
69
85
14
99
139
12
151
Other pharmaceutical
(1)
289
765
1,053
304
761
1,064
563
1,483
2,045
611
1,449
2,062
Total Pharmaceutical segment sales
3,822
5,461
9,282
3,929
4,830
8,759
7,538
10,663
18,201
7,690
9,255
16,944
Animal Health:
Livestock
107
526
633
103
479
582
231
1,055
1,286
223
938
1,161
Companion Animals
204
253
457
167
206
373
387
482
869
330
403
733
Total Animal Health segment sales
311
779
1,090
270
685
955
618
1,537
2,155
553
1,341
1,894
Other segment sales
(2)
56
—
56
101
—
101
140
—
140
194
—
195
Total segment sales
4,189
6,240
10,428
4,300
5,515
9,815
8,296
12,200
20,496
8,437
10,596
19,033
Other
(3)
54
(18
)
37
8
108
115
80
(74
)
6
66
266
332
$
4,243
$
6,222
$
10,465
$
4,308
$
5,623
$
9,930
$
8,376
$
12,126
$
20,502
$
8,503
$
10,862
$
19,365
(1)
Other pharmaceutical primarily reflects sales of other human health pharmaceutical products, including products within the franchises not listed separately.
(2)
Represents the non-reportable segments of Healthcare Services and Alliances.
(3)
Other is primarily comprised of miscellaneous corporate revenues, including revenue hedging activities, as well as third-party manufacturing sales. Other in the first
six
months of 2018 and 2017 also includes
$71 million
and
$50 million
, respectively, related to the sale of the marketing rights to certain products.
-
30
-
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(continued)
Consolidated revenues by geographic area where derived are as follows:
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
($ in millions)
2018
2017
2018
2017
United States
$
4,243
$
4,308
$
8,376
$
8,503
Europe, Middle East and Africa
3,144
2,804
6,334
5,433
Asia Pacific
1,350
1,056
2,588
2,054
Japan
855
839
1,592
1,544
Latin America
594
583
1,126
1,068
Other
279
340
486
763
$
10,465
$
9,930
$
20,502
$
19,365
A reconciliation of segment profits to
Income before taxes
is as follows:
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
($ in millions)
2018
2017
2018
2017
Segment profits:
Pharmaceutical segment
$
5,826
$
5,590
$
11,630
$
10,751
Animal Health segment
450
395
864
812
Other segments
26
111
88
144
Total segment profits
6,302
6,096
12,582
11,707
Other profits
(2
)
43
(89
)
186
Unallocated:
Interest income
81
96
165
194
Interest expense
(194
)
(193
)
(379
)
(375
)
Equity income from affiliates
66
5
16
(7
)
Depreciation and amortization
(332
)
(332
)
(682
)
(702
)
Research and development
(2,041
)
(1,560
)
(5,023
)
(3,191
)
Amortization of purchase accounting adjustments
(732
)
(779
)
(1,464
)
(1,557
)
Restructuring costs
(228
)
(166
)
(323
)
(317
)
Other unallocated, net
(834
)
(771
)
(1,371
)
(1,496
)
$
2,086
$
2,439
$
3,432
$
4,442
Pharmaceutical segment profits are comprised of segment sales less standard costs, as well as marketing and administrative expenses and research and development costs directly incurred by the segment. Animal Health segment profits are comprised of segment sales, less all materials and production costs, as well as marketing and administrative expenses and research and development costs directly incurred by the segment. For internal management reporting presented to the chief operating decision maker, Merck does not allocate the remaining materials and production costs not included in segment profits as described above, research and development expenses incurred in Merck Research Laboratories, the Company’s research and development division that focuses on human health-related activities, or general and administrative expenses, nor the cost of financing these activities. Separate divisions maintain responsibility for monitoring and managing these costs, including depreciation related to fixed assets utilized by these divisions and, therefore, they are not included in segment profits. In addition, costs related to restructuring activities, as well as the amortization of purchase accounting adjustments are not allocated to segments.
Other profits are primarily comprised of miscellaneous corporate profits, as well as operating profits related to third-party manufacturing sales.
Other unallocated, net includes expenses from corporate and manufacturing cost centers, goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges, gains or losses on sales of businesses, expense or income related to changes in the estimated fair value of contingent consideration, and other miscellaneous income or expense items.
In the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted a new accounting standard related to the classification of certain defined benefit plan costs (see Note 1), which resulted in a change to the measurement of segment profits. Net periodic benefit cost (credit) other than service cost is no longer included as a component of segment profits. Prior period amounts have been recast to conform to the new presentation.
-
31
-
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Recent Developments
Business Developments
In June 2018, Merck acquired Viralytics Limited (Viralytics), an Australian publicly traded company focused on oncolytic immunotherapy treatments for a range of cancers, for AUD
502 million
(
$378 million
). The transaction provided Merck with full rights to
Cavatak
(V937, formerly CVA21), Viralytics’s investigational oncolytic immunotherapy.
Cavatak
is based on Viralytics’s proprietary formulation of an oncolytic virus (Coxsackievirus Type A21) that has been shown to preferentially infect and kill cancer cells.
Cavatak
is currently being evaluated in multiple Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials, both as an intratumoral and intravenous agent, including in combination with
Keytruda
(pembrolizumab). Under a previous agreement between Merck and Viralytics, a study is investigating the use of the
Keytruda
and
Cavatak
combination in melanoma, prostate, lung and bladder cancers.
In March 2018, Merck and Eisai Co., Ltd. (Eisai) announced a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and co-commercialization of Lenvima (lenvatinib mesylate), an orally available tyrosine kinase inhibitor discovered by Eisai. Under the agreement, Merck and Eisai will develop and commercialize Lenvima jointly, both as monotherapy and in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy,
Keytruda
. Eisai records Lenvima product sales globally, as monotherapy and in combination, and Merck and Eisai share gross profits equally. Merck records its share of Lenvima product sales, net of cost of sales and commercialization costs, as alliance revenue. Expenses incurred during co-development, including for studies evaluating Lenvima as monotherapy, are shared equally by the two companies. Under the agreement, Merck made upfront payments to Eisai of
$750 million
and will make payments of up to
$650 million
for certain option rights through 2021 (
$325 million
in January 2019 or earlier in certain circumstances,
$200 million
in January 2020 and
$125 million
in January 2021). The Company recorded an aggregate charge of
$1.4 billion
in
Research and development
expenses in the first quarter of 2018 related to the upfront payments and future option payments. In addition, the agreement provides for Eisai to receive up to
$385 million
associated with the achievement of certain clinical and regulatory milestones and up to
$3.97 billion
for the achievement of milestones associated with sales of Lenvima. In March 2018, Lenvima was approved in Japan for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, which was the first regulatory approval under the global strategic collaboration, triggering a
$25 million
milestone payment to Eisai.
Cyber-attack
On June 27, 2017, the Company experienced a network cyber-attack that led to a disruption of its worldwide operations, including manufacturing, research and sales operations. All of the Company’s manufacturing sites are now operational, manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), formulating, packaging and shipping product.
Due to a residual backlog of orders for certain products as a result of the cyber-attack, as anticipated, the Company was unable to fulfill orders for certain products in certain markets, which had an unfavorable effect on sales for the
second
quarter and first
six
months of 2018 of approximately $70 million and $145 million, respectively. The Company anticipates that sales for the full year of 2018 will be unfavorably affected in certain markets by approximately $200 million from the cyber-attack. In addition, the Company recorded manufacturing-related expenses, primarily unfavorable manufacturing variances, in
Materials and production
costs, as well as expenses related to remediation efforts in
Marketing and administrative
expenses and
Research and development
expenses, which aggregated approximately $25 million and $35 million for the
second
quarter and first
six
months of 2018, respectively, net of insurance recoveries of approximately $15 million.
As referenced above, the Company has insurance coverage insuring against costs resulting from cyber-attacks and has received insurance proceeds. However, there may be disputes with the insurers about the availability of the insurance coverage for claims related to this incident.
Additionally, the temporary production shut-down from the cyber-attack contributed to the Company’s inability to meet higher than expected demand for
Gardasil
9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant), which resulted in Merck’s decision to borrow doses of
Gardasil
9 from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Pediatric Vaccine Stockpile in 2017. The Company subsequently replenished a portion of the borrowed doses in 2017. The net effect of the borrowing and subsequent partial replenishment was a reduction in sales of $125 million in 2017. The Company anticipates it will replenish the remaining borrowed doses in the second half of 2018.
-
32
-
Pricing
Global efforts toward health care cost containment continue to exert pressure on product pricing and market access worldwide. In the United States, pricing pressures continue on many of the Company’s products. Changes to the U.S. health care system as part of health care reform, as well as increased purchasing power of entities that negotiate on behalf of Medicare, Medicaid, and private sector beneficiaries, could result in further pricing pressures. In July 2018, the Company announced its commitment not to increase the average net price in the United States across its human health portfolio of products by more than inflation annually.
In several international markets, government-mandated pricing actions have reduced prices of generic and patented drugs. In addition, other austerity measures negatively affected the Company’s revenue performance in the first
six
months of
2018
. The Company anticipates these pricing actions and other austerity measures will continue to negatively affect revenue performance for the remainder of
2018
.
Operating Results
Sales
Worldwide sales were
$10.5 billion
for the
second
quarter of
2018
, an increase of 5% compared with the
second
quarter of
2017
including a 1% favorable effect from foreign exchange. Global sales were
$20.5 billion
for the first
six
months of 2018, an increase of 6% compared with the same period of 2017 including a 2% favorable effect from foreign exchange. Sales growth in both periods was driven primarily by higher sales in the oncology franchise reflecting strong growth of
Keytruda
, the Company’s anti-PD-1 (programmed death receptor-1) therapy, as well as alliance revenue related to Lynparza (olaparib) and Lenvima. Also contributing to revenue growth were higher sales in the hospital acute care franchise, largely attributable to
Bridion
(sugammadex) Injection and
Noxafil
(posaconazole), as well as higher sales of vaccines, primarily human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
Gardasil
(Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent [Types 6, 11, 16 and 18] Vaccine, Recombinant)
/Gardasil
9. Additionally, higher sales of animal health products also contributed to revenue growth in the second quarter and first six months of 2018.
These increases were partially offset by declines in the virology franchise driven primarily by lower sales of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment
Zepatier
(elbasvir and grazoprevir), as well as lower sales of
Zostavax
(Zoster Vaccine Live). The ongoing effects of generic and biosimilar competition for cardiovascular products
Zetia
(ezetimibe),
Vytorin
(ezetimibe and simvastatin), and immunology product
Remicade
(infliximab), as well as lower sales of products within the diversified brands franchise also partially offset revenue growth in the quarter and year-to-date period. The diversified brands franchise includes certain products approaching the expiration of their marketing exclusivity or that are no longer protected by patents in developed markets.
-
33
-
Sales of the Company’s products were as follows:
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six Months Ended June 30,
2018
2017
2018
2017
($ in millions)
U.S.
Int’l
Total
U.S.
Int’l
Total
U.S.
Int’l
Total
U.S.
Int’l
Total
Pharmaceutical:
Oncology
Keytruda
$
959
$
707
$
1,667
$
556
$
325
$
881
$
1,797
$
1,333
$
3,131
$
917
$
547
$
1,465
Emend
89
59
148
83
60
143
168
105
273
169
107
276
Temodar
1
54
56
3
61
65
2
111
113
4
126
130
Alliance revenue - Lynparza
31
13
44
—
—
—
55
22
76
—
—
—
Alliance revenue - Lenvima
—
35
35
—
—
—
—
35
35
—
—
—
Vaccines
Gardasil/Gardasil
9
302
306
608
312
156
469
682
586
1,269
711
290
1,001
ProQuad/M-M-R
II
/Varivax
356
70
426
341
58
399
668
150
818
639
115
754
Pneumovax
23
122
71
193
104
61
166
234
137
372
219
110
329
RotaTeq
99
57
156
72
51
123
250
99
349
251
96
347
Zostavax
1
43
44
107
52
160
17
91
108
216
97
313
Hospital Acute Care
Bridion
95
145
240
54
109
163
175
269
444
99
211
310
Noxafil
87
100
188
77
78
155
168
195
363
142
154
296
Invanz
87
63
149
93
57
150
177
123
300
175
111
286
Cubicin
48
46
94
53
50
103
95
97
192
107
92
198
Cancidas
4
83
87
6
106
112
7
171
178
11
222
233
Primaxin
—
68
68
1
70
71
5
135
140
2
132
133
Immunology
Simponi
—
233
233
—
199
199
—
464
464
—
383
383
Remicade
—
157
157
—
208
208
—
324
324
—
437
437
Neuroscience
Belsomra
29
42
71
25
28
52
52
73
125
45
49
94
Virology
Isentress/Isentress HD
132
174
305
136
146
282
260
326
586
279
308
587
Zepatier
(10
)
123
113
256
261
517
(10
)
253
243
455
440
895
Cardiovascular
Zetia
8
218
226
122
246
367
25
505
531
233
468
701
Vytorin
3
152
155
30
152
182
11
311
322
120
303
423
Atozet
—
101
101
—
63
63
—
174
174
—
112
112
Adempas
—
75
75
—
67
67
—
143
143
—
151
151
Diabetes
Januvia
503
446
949
541
407
948
968
862
1,829
1,048
740
1,787
Janumet
209
377
585
248
315
563
401
729
1,129
442
617
1,059
Women’s Health
NuvaRing
187
49
236
153
47
199
357
95
452
265
94
359
Implanon/Nexplanon
114
60
174
125
53
178
242
106
348
257
92
349
Diversified Brands
Singulair
5
180
185
6
197
203
11
350
360
12
377
389
Cozaar/Hyzaar
7
118
125
3
116
119
14
231
245
6
226
231
Nasonex
—
81
81
21
64
85
2
201
203
39
185
224
Arcoxia
—
84
84
—
89
89
—
166
166
—
192
192
Follistim AQ
27
43
70
32
47
79
56
81
138
74
86
160
Fosamax
3
56
59
2
65
66
1
113
114
3
124
127
Dulera
35
7
42
63
5
69
85
14
99
139
12
151
Other pharmaceutical
(1)
289
765
1,053
304
761
1,064
563
1,483
2,045
611
1,449
2,062
Total Pharmaceutical segment sales
3,822
5,461
9,282
3,929
4,830
8,759
7,538
10,663
18,201
7,690
9,255
16,944
Animal Health:
Livestock
107
526
633
103
479
582
231
1,055
1,286
223
938
1,161
Companion Animals
204
253
457
167
206
373
387
482
869
330
403
733
Total Animal Health segment sales
311
779
1,090
270
685
955
618
1,537
2,155
553
1,341
1,894
Other segment sales
(2)
56
—
56
101
—
101
140
—
140
194
—
195
Total segment sales
4,189
6,240
10,428
4,300
5,515
9,815
8,296
12,200
20,496
8,437
10,596
19,033
Other
(3)
54
(18
)
37
8
108
115
80
(74
)
6
66
266
332
$
4,243
$
6,222
$
10,465
$
4,308
$
5,623
$
9,930
$
8,376
$
12,126
$
20,502
$
8,503
$
10,862
$
19,365
(1)
Other pharmaceutical primarily reflects sales of other human health pharmaceutical products, including products within the franchises not listed separately.
(2)
Represents the non-reportable segments of Healthcare Services and Alliances.
(3)
Other is primarily comprised of miscellaneous corporate revenues, including revenue hedging activities, as well as third-party manufacturing sales. Other in the first
six
months of 2018 and 2017 also includes
$71 million
and
$50 million
, respectively, related to the sale of the marketing rights to certain products.
Product sales are recorded net of the provision for discounts, including chargebacks, which are customer discounts that occur when a contracted customer purchases through an intermediary wholesale purchaser, and rebates that are owed based upon
-
34
-
definitive contractual agreements or legal requirements with private sector and public sector (Medicaid and Medicare Part D) benefit providers, after the final dispensing of the product by a pharmacy to a benefit plan participant. These discounts, in the aggregate, reduced U.S. sales by
$2.8 billion
for both the three months ended
June 30, 2018
and
2017
, and by
$5.2 billion
and
$5.3 billion
for the
six
months ended
June 30, 2018
and
2017
, respectively. Inventory levels at key U.S. wholesalers for each of the Company’s major pharmaceutical products are generally less than one month.
Pharmaceutical Segment
Oncology
Keytruda
, an anti-PD-1 therapy, is approved in the United States and in the European Union (EU) as monotherapy for the treatment of certain patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma, classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) and urothelial carcinoma, a type of bladder cancer.
Keytruda
is also approved in the United States as monotherapy for the treatment of certain patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma and microsatellite instability-high or mismatch repair deficient cancer, and in combination with pemetrexed and carboplatin in certain patients with NSCLC. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved
Keytruda
for the treatment of certain patients with cervical cancer and certain patients with primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL), a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (see below).
Keytruda
is approved in Japan for the treatment of certain patients with melanoma, NSCLC, cHL, and radically unresectable urothelial carcinoma. Additionally, in July 2018, Merck announced
Keytruda
was approved by the China National Drug Administration for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma following failure of one prior line of therapy. This is the first approval of an anti-PD-1 therapy for advanced melanoma in China.
Keytruda
is also approved in many other international markets. The
Keytruda
clinical development program includes studies across a broad range of cancer types (see “Research and Development” below).
In June 2018, the FDA approved
Keytruda
for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy whose tumors express PD-L1 as determined by an FDA-approved test. Also in June 2018, the FDA approved
Keytruda
for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with refractory PMBCL, or who have relapsed after two or more prior lines of therapy. With this indication,
Keytruda
becomes the first anti-PD-1 therapy to be approved for the treatment of PMBCL. Both of these indications were approved under the FDA’s accelerated approval regulations based on tumor response rate and durability of response.
Global sales of
Keytruda
were
$1.7 billion
in the
second
quarter of
2018
compared with
$881 million
in the
second
quarter of
2017
and were
$3.1 billion
in the first
six
months of 2018 compared with
$1.5 billion
for the same period of 2017. Sales growth in both periods was driven by volume growth in all markets as the Company continues to launch
Keytruda
with multiple new indications globally. Sales in the United States continue to build across the multiple approved indications, in particular for the treatment of NSCLC reflecting both the continued adoption of
Keytruda
in the first-line setting as monotherapy for patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have high PD-L1 expression, as well as the uptake of
Keytruda
in combination with pemetrexed and carboplatin, a commonly used chemotherapy regimen, for the first-line treatment of metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC with or without PD-L1 expression. Other indications, including bladder and microsatellite instability-high cancer, also contributed to
Keytruda
sales growth in the
second
quarter and first
six
months of
2018
. Sales growth in international markets reflects strong uptake for the treatment of NSCLC, as the Company has secured reimbursement in most major markets, along with growth in the melanoma, HNSCC, and bladder cancer indications.
Lynparza, an oral poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor being developed as part of a collaboration with AstraZeneca PLC (AstraZeneca) (see Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements), is currently approved for certain types of ovarian and breast cancer. Merck recorded alliance revenue of
$44 million
and
$76 million
in the
second
quarter and first
six
months of
2018
, respectively, related to Lynparza. In January 2018, the FDA approved Lynparza for use in patients with
BRCA
-mutated, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer who have been previously treated with chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant or metastatic setting, triggering a $70 million milestone payment from Merck to AstraZeneca. Also in January 2018, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approved Lynparza for use as a maintenance therapy in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer, regardless of
BRCA
mutation status. In May 2018, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved Lynparza tablets for use as a maintenance therapy for patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed high-grade, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete response or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy, regardless of
BRCA
status. In July 2018, Merck announced that Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency approved Lynparza tablets for use in patients with unresectable or recurrent
BRCA
-mutated, HER2-negative breast cancer who have received prior chemotherapy.
Lenvima, an orally available tyrosine kinase inhibitor being developed as part of a collaboration with Eisai (see Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements), is currently approved for certain types of thyroid cancer and in combination for certain patients with renal cell cancer. Merck recorded alliance revenue of $35 million in the
second
quarter of
2018
related to Lenvima. In March 2018, Lenvima was approved in Japan for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, which was the first regulatory approval under the global strategic collaboration, triggering a $25 million milestone payment to Eisai.
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35
-
Vaccines
Worldwide sales of
Gardasil/Gardasil
9, vaccines to help prevent certain cancers and diseases caused by certain types of HPV, were
$608 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
and
$1.3 billion
in the first
six
months of 2018, increases of 30% and 27%, respectively, compared with the same periods of 2017. Foreign exchange favorably affected global sales performance by 4% in both periods. Sales growth was driven primarily by higher sales in the Asia Pacific region, particularly in China reflecting continued uptake since launch, as well as volume growth in certain European markets. Sales growth in the second quarter and year-to-date period was partially offset by declines in the United States reflecting the ongoing impact of the transition from a 3-dose regimen to the 2-dose regimen that was recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in December 2016, partially offset by higher pricing. In April 2018, China’s Food and Drug Administration approved
Gardasil
9 for use in girls and women ages 16 to 26. In June 2018, the FDA accepted for review a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for
Gardasil
9 seeking approval for an expanded age indication for use in women and men ages 27 to 45 for the prevention of certain cancers and diseases caused by the nine HPV types covered by the vaccine. The FDA granted Priority Review to the sBLA and set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), or target action, date of October 6, 2018.
Global sales of
ProQuad
(Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella Virus Vaccine Live), a pediatric combination vaccine to help protect against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, were $146 million in the
second
quarter of
2018
, an increase of 12% compared with $130 million in the
second
quarter of
2017
. Worldwide sales of
ProQuad
were $269 million in the first
six
months of 2018, an increase of 15% compared with $233 million in the first
six
months of 2017. Foreign exchange favorably affected global sales performance by 1% in the first
six
months of 2018. Sales growth in both periods was driven primarily by higher volumes and pricing in the United States and volume growth in certain European markets.
Worldwide sales of
M‑M‑R
II (Measles, Mumps and Rubella Virus Vaccine Live), a vaccine to help protect against measles, mumps and rubella, were $95 million for the
second
quarter of
2018
, an increase of 10% compared with $86 million for the
second
quarter of
2017
. Global sales of
M‑M‑R
II were $188 million in the first
six
months of 2018, an increase of 6% compared with $178 million in the first
six
months of 2017. Foreign exchange favorably affected global sales performance by 1% and 2% in the
second
quarter and first
six
months of 2018, respectively. Sales growth in both periods was driven primarily by volume growth in several international markets.
Global sales of
Varivax
(Varicella Virus Vaccine Live), a vaccine to help prevent chickenpox (varicella), were $186 million for the
second
quarter of
2018
, an increase of 1% compared with $183 million for the
second
quarter of
2017
. Worldwide sales of
Varivax
were $361 million in the first
six
months of 2018, an increase of 5% compared with $343 million in the first
six
months of 2017. Foreign exchange favorably affected global sales performance by 1% in the first
six
months of 2018. Sales growth in the year-to-date period was largely attributable to volume growth in most international markets, along with higher pricing in the United States.
Global sales of
Pneumovax
23 (pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent), a vaccine to help prevent pneumococcal disease, were
$193 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
, growth of 16% compared with the
second
quarter of
2017
, driven primarily by higher volumes and pricing in the United States, as well as higher volumes in Europe. Worldwide sales of
Pneumovax
23 were
$372 million
in the first
six
months of 2018, an increase of 13% compared with the same period of 2017, driven primarily by volume growth in most international markets, particularly in Europe, as well as higher pricing in the United States. Foreign exchange favorably affected global sales performance by 1% and 2% in the
second
quarter and first
six
months of 2018, respectively.
Worldwide sales of
RotaTeq
(Rotavirus Vaccine, Live Oral, Pentavalent), a vaccine to help protect against rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants and children, were
$156 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
, an increase of 27% compared with the
second
quarter of
2017
including a 1% favorable effect from foreign exchange. The sales increase was driven primarily by higher sales in the United States reflecting the timing of public sector purchasing. Global sales of
RotaTeq
were
$349 million
in the first
six
months of 2018, up 1% compared with the same period of 2017 including a 2% favorable effect from foreign exchange.
Worldwide sales of
Zostavax
, a vaccine to help prevent shingles (herpes zoster) in adults 50 years of age and older, were
$44 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
and
$108 million
in the first
six
months of 2018, declines of 73% and 65%, respectively, compared with the same periods of
2017
. Foreign exchange favorably affected global sales performance by 1% and 2% in the
second
quarter and first
six
months of 2018, respectively. The sales declines were driven largely by lower demand in the United States reflecting the approval of a competitor’s vaccine that received a preferential recommendation from the CDC’s ACIP in October 2017 for the prevention of shingles over
Zostavax
. The Company anticipates this competition will continue to have a material adverse effect on sales of
Zostavax
in future periods.
Hospital Acute Care
Worldwide sales of
Bridion
, for the reversal of two types of neuromuscular blocking agents used during surgery, were
$240 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
, an increase of 48% compared with the
second
quarter of
2017
including a 3% favorable effect from foreign exchange. Global sales of
Bridion
were
$444 million
in the first
six
months of 2018, an increase of 43% compared with the same period of 2017 including a 5% favorable effect from foreign exchange. Sales growth in both periods reflects volume growth in most markets, particularly in the United States and Europe.
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36
-
Worldwide sales of
Noxafil
, for the prevention of invasive fungal infections, were
$188 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
, an increase of 21% compared with the
second
quarter of 2017 including a 4% favorable effect from foreign exchange. Global sales of
Noxafil
were
$363 million
in the first
six
months of 2018, an increase of 23% compared with the same period of 2017 including a 6% favorable effect from foreign exchange. Sales growth in both periods primarily reflects higher demand and pricing in the United States, as well as volume growth in certain European markets and China.
Global sales of
Invanz
(ertapenem sodium), for the treatment of certain infections, were
$149 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
, down slightly compared with the second quarter of 2017. Worldwide sales of
Invanz
were
$300 million
for the first
six
months of 2018, an increase of 5% compared with the same period of
2017
including a 2% favorable effect from foreign exchange. The patent that provided U.S. market exclusivity for
Invanz
expired in November 2017 and the Company anticipates a significant decline in U.S.
Invanz
sales in future periods as a result of generic competition.
Global sales of
Cancidas
(caspofungin acetate), an anti-fungal product sold primarily outside of the United States, were
$87 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
and
$178 million
in the first
six
months of 2018, declines of 23% and 24%, respectively, compared with the same periods of 2017. Foreign exchange favorably affected global sales performance by 4% and 5% in the
second
quarter and first
six
months of 2018, respectively. The sales declines were driven primarily by generic competition in certain European markets. The EU compound patent for
Cancidas
expired in April 2017. Accordingly, the Company is experiencing a significant decline in
Cancidas
sales in these European markets and expects the decline to continue.
Immunology
Sales of
Simponi
(golimumab), a once-monthly subcutaneous treatment for certain inflammatory diseases (marketed by the Company in Europe, Russia and Turkey), were
$233 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
, growth of 17% compared with the
second
quarter of
2017
including an 8% favorable effect from foreign exchange. Sales of
Simponi
were
$464 million
in the first
six
months of 2017, growth of 21% compared with the same period of 2017 including an 11% favorable effect from foreign exchange. Sales growth in both periods was driven by volume growth in Europe.
Sales of
Remicade,
a treatment for inflammatory diseases (marketed by the Company in Europe, Russia and Turkey), were
$157 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
and
$324 million
in the first
six
months of 2018, declines of 24% and 26%, respectively, compared with the same periods of
2017
. Foreign exchange favorably affected global sales performance by 5% and 7% in the
second
quarter and first
six
months of 2018, respectively. The Company lost market exclusivity for
Remicade
in major European markets in 2015 and no longer has market exclusivity in any of its marketing territories. The Company is experiencing pricing and volume declines in these markets as a result of biosimilar competition and expects the declines to continue.
Virology
Global sales of
Isentress/Isentress HD
(raltegravir), an HIV integrase inhibitor for use in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection, were
$305 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
, an increase of 8% compared with the
second
quarter of
2017
including a 2% favorable effect from foreign exchange. Sales growth in the second quarter reflects higher demand in Latin America and timing of sales in Russia and Brazil. Worldwide sales of
Isentress/Isentress HD
were
$586 million
in the first
six
month of
2018
, essentially flat compared with the same period of
2017
including a 3% favorable effect from foreign exchange. Sales performance primarily reflects lower demand in the United States and competitive pricing pressure in Europe, partially offset by the timing of sales in Russia and Brazil.
Global sales of
Zepatier
, a treatment for adult patients with certain types of chronic HCV infection, were
$113 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
and
$243 million
in the first
six
months of 2018, declines of 78% and 73%, respectively, compared with the same periods of
2017
. Foreign exchange favorably affected global sales performance by 2% in both the
second
quarter and first
six
months of 2018. The sales declines reflect the unfavorable effects of increasing competition and declining patient volumes, particularly in the United States. The Company anticipates that sales of
Zepatier
in the future will continue to be materially adversely affected by competition and lower patient volumes.
Cardiovascular
Combined global sales of
Zetia
(marketed in most countries outside the United States as
Ezetrol
),
Vytorin
(marketed outside the United States as
Inegy
),
Atozet
(ezetimibe and atorvastatin) (marketed in certain countries outside of the United States), and
Rosuzet
(ezetimibe and rosuvastatin), medicines for lowering LDL cholesterol, were
$502 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
and
$1.1 billion
in the first
six
months of 2018, declines of 20% and 16%, respectively, compared with the same periods of
2017
. Foreign exchange favorably affected global sales performance by 4% and 6% in the
second
quarter and first
six
months of
2018
, respectively. The global sales declines were driven primarily by declines in U.S. sales reflecting lower volumes and pricing of
Zetia
and
Vytorin
as a result of generic competition.
Zetia
and
Vytorin
lost market exclusivity in the United States in December 2016 and April 2017, respectively. Accordingly, the Company is experiencing rapid and substantial declines in U.S.
Zetia
and
Vytorin
sales and expects the declines to continue. In addition, the Company lost market exclusivity in major European markets for
Ezetrol
in April 2018 and has also lost market exclusivity in certain European markets for
Inegy
(see Note 8 to the condensed
-
37
-
consolidated financial statements). Accordingly, the Company is experiencing sales declines in these markets as a result of generic competition and expects the declines to continue.
Pursuant to a collaboration with Bayer AG (Bayer) (see Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements), Merck has lead commercial rights for Adempas (riociguat), a cardiovascular drug for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, in countries outside the Americas while Bayer has lead rights in the Americas, including the United States. The companies share profits equally under the collaboration. In 2016, Merck began promoting and distributing Adempas in Europe. Transition from Bayer in other Merck territories, including Japan, continued in 2017. Revenue from Adempas includes sales in Merck’s marketing territories, as well as Merck’s share of profits from the sale of Adempas in Bayer’s marketing territories. Merck recorded sales of
$75 million
in the second quarter of 2018, an increase of 13% compared with the second quarter of 2017 including a 5% favorable effect from foreign exchange. Sales growth in the second quarter primarily reflects higher sales in Merck’s marketing territories. Merck recorded sales of
$143 million
in the first
six
months of 2018, a decline of 5% compared with the same period of 2017 including a 6% favorable effect from foreign exchange. The sales decline in the first six months of 2018 reflect lower profit sharing from Bayer in its marketing territories, due in part to lower pricing in the United States, partially offset by higher sales in Merck’s marketing territories.
Diabetes
Worldwide combined sales of
Januvia
(sitagliptin) and
Janumet
(sitagliptin/metformin HCl), medicines that help lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes, were
$1.5 billion
in the
second
quarter of
2018
and
$3.0 billion
in the first
six
months of 2018, increases of 2% and 4%, respectively, compared with the same periods of
2017
. Foreign exchange favorably affected global sales performance by 3% in both the
second
quarter and first
six
months of
2018
. Sales growth in both periods reflects volume growth globally, partially offset by continued pricing pressure. The Company expects pricing pressure to continue.
Women’s Health
Worldwide sales of
NuvaRing
(etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring), a vaginal contraceptive product, were
$236 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
and
$452 million
in the first
six
months of
2018
, increases of 18% and 26%, respectively, compared with the same periods of
2017
. Foreign exchange favorably affected global sales performance by 1% and 2% in the second quarter and first six months of 2018, respectively. Sales growth in both periods was driven primarily by higher pricing in the United States. The patent that provided U.S. market exclusivity for
NuvaRing
expired in April 2018 and the Company anticipates a significant decline in U.S.
NuvaRing
sales in future periods as a result of generic competition.
Animal Health Segment
Animal Health includes pharmaceutical and vaccine products for the prevention, treatment and control of disease in all major farm and companion animal species. The Animal Health segment met the criteria for separate reporting and became a reportable segment in the first quarter of 2018. Animal Health sales are affected by competition and the frequent introduction of generic products. Global sales of Animal Health products totaled
$1.1 billion
for the
second
quarter of
2018
, an increase of 14% compared with the
second
quarter of
2017
including a 2% favorable effect from foreign exchange. Worldwide sales of Animal Health products totaled
$2.2 billion
for the first
six
months of
2018
, an increase of 14% compared with the same period of
2017
including a 5% favorable effect from foreign exchange. Sales growth in both periods was driven by higher sales of companion animal products, primarily the
Bravecto
(fluralaner) line of products that kill fleas and ticks in dogs and cats for up to 12 weeks, due in part to a delayed flea and tick season and the timing of customer purchases, as well as higher sales of livestock products, including ruminant, poultry and swine products.
Costs, Expenses and Other
Materials and Production
Materials and production costs were
$3.4 billion
for the
second
quarter of
2018
, an increase of 10% compared with the
second
quarter of
2017
and were
$6.6 billion
for the first
six
months of 2018, an increase of 7% compared with the same period of 2017. Costs in the
second
quarter of
2018
and
2017
include $732 million and $779 million, respectively, and for the first
six
months of 2018 and 2017 include $1.5 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively, of expenses for the amortization of intangible assets recorded in connection with business acquisitions. Additionally, in the second quarter and first six months of 2018, the Company recorded $123 million and $132 million, respectively, of cumulative amortization expense for amounts capitalized in connection with the recognition of liabilities for potential future milestone payments related to collaborations (see Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Also, costs in the second quarter and first
six
months of 2017 include $47 million and $123 million, respectively, of intangible asset impairment charges. The Company may recognize additional non-cash impairment charges in the future related to intangible assets that were measured at fair value and capitalized in connection with business acquisitions and such charges could be material. Also included in materials and production costs are expenses associated with restructuring activities which amounted to
$3 million
and
$33 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
and
2017
, respectively, and
$9 million
and
$96 million
for the first
six
months of 2018 and 2017, respectively, including accelerated depreciation and asset write-offs related
-
38
-
to the planned sale or closure of manufacturing facilities. Separation costs associated with manufacturing-related headcount reductions have been incurred and are reflected in
Restructuring costs
as discussed below.
Gross margin was 67.3% in the
second
quarter of
2018
compared with 68.6% in the
second
quarter of
2017
and was 67.8% for the first
six
months of 2018 compared with 68.2% in the first
six
months of 2017. The declines in gross margin primarily reflect cumulative amortization expense for potential future milestone payments as noted above, the amortization of unfavorable manufacturing variances, resulting in part from the June 2017 cyber-attack, as well as the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange. The gross margin decline in both periods was partially offset by a lower net impact from the amortization of intangible assets related to business acquisitions, intangible asset impairment charges and restructuring costs as noted above which unfavorably affected gross margin by 7.1 percentage points in the
second
quarter of 2018 compared with 8.7 percentage points in the
second
quarter of 2017 and by 7.2 percentage points in the first
six
months of 2018 compared with 9.1 percentage points in the first
six
months of 2017.
Marketing and Administrative
Marketing and administrative expenses were
$2.5 billion
in the
second
quarter of
2018
, up slightly compared with the second quarter of 2017, and were
$5.0 billion
for the first six months of 2018, an increase of 1% compared with the same period of
2017
. The increases primarily reflect the unfavorable effects of foreign exchange and higher administrative costs, offset by lower promotional and selling expenses.
Research and Development
Research and development (R&D) expenses were
$2.3 billion
for the
second
quarter of
2018
, an increase of 28% compared with the
second
quarter of
2017
. The increase primarily reflects a charge for the acquisition of Viralytics, as well as higher clinical development spending, in particular for oncology collaborations, and investment in early drug development. R&D expenses were
$5.5 billion
for the first
six
months of 2018 compared with
$3.6 billion
for the same period of 2017. The increase was driven primarily by a charge related to the formation of an oncology collaboration with Eisai, a charge for the acquisition of Viralytics, as well as higher clinical development spending and investment in early drug development, partially offset by higher costs in the prior year related to a milestone payment associated with a licensing agreement.
R&D expenses are comprised of the costs directly incurred by Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), the Company’s research and development division that focuses on human health-related activities, which were $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion in the
second
quarter of
2018
and
2017
, respectively, and were $2.4 billion and $2.2 billion for the first
six
months of 2018 and 2017, respectively. Also included in R&D expenses are costs incurred by other divisions in support of R&D activities, including depreciation, production and general and administrative, as well as licensing activity, and certain costs from operating segments, including the Pharmaceutical and Animal Health segments, which in the aggregate were approximately $670 million and $645 million for the
second
quarter of
2018
and
2017
, respectively, and were $1.3 billion for both the first
six
months of 2018 and 2017. Additionally, R&D expenses in the second quarter and first six months of 2018 include a charge of $344 million for the acquisition of Viralytics (see Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements) and in the first
six
months of 2018 include a
$1.4 billion
aggregate charge related to the formation of an oncology collaboration with Eisai (see Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements).
Restructuring Costs
In 2010 and 2013, the Company commenced actions under global restructuring programs designed to streamline its cost structure. The actions under these programs include the elimination of positions in sales, administrative and headquarters organizations, as well as the sale or closure of certain manufacturing and research and development sites and the consolidation of office facilities. The Company also continues to reduce its global real estate footprint and improve the efficiency of its manufacturing and supply network.
Restructuring costs, primarily representing separation and other related costs associated with these restructuring activities, were
$228 million
and
$166 million
for the
second
quarter of
2018
and
2017
, respectively, and were
$323 million
and
$317 million
for the first
six
months of 2018 and 2017, respectively. Separation costs incurred were associated with actual headcount reductions, as well as estimated expenses under existing severance programs for headcount reductions that were probable and could be reasonably estimated. Merck eliminated approximately
635
positions and
475
positions in the
second
quarter of
2018
and
2017
, respectively, and
1,345
positions and
1,020
positions in the first
six
months of 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to these restructuring activities. Also included in restructuring costs are asset abandonment, shut-down and other related costs, as well as employee-related costs such as curtailment, settlement and termination charges associated with pension and other postretirement benefit plans and share-based compensation plan costs. For segment reporting, restructuring costs are unallocated expenses.
Additional costs associated with the Company’s restructuring activities are included in
Materials and production
,
Marketing and administrative
and
Research and development
. The Company recorded aggregate pretax costs of
$235 million
and
$210 million
in the
second
quarter of
2018
and
2017
, respectively, and
$339 million
and
$425 million
for the first
six
months of
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39
-
2018 and 2017, respectively, related to restructuring program activities (see Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). While the Company has substantially completed the actions under the programs, approximately
$500 million
of pretax costs are expected to be incurred for the full year of 2018 relating to anticipated employee separations and remaining asset-related costs.
Other (Income) Expense, Net
Other (income) expense, net was
$48 million
of income in the
second
quarter of
2018
compared with
$73 million
of income in the
second
quarter of
2017
and was
$340 million
of income for the first
six
months of 2018 compared with
$143 million
of income for the first
six
months of 2017. For details on the components of
Other (income) expense, net
, see Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Segment Profits
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
($ in millions)
2018
2017
2018
2017
Pharmaceutical segment profits
$
5,826
$
5,590
$
11,630
$
10,751
Animal Health segment profits
450
395
864
812
Other non-reportable segment profits
26
111
88
144
Other
(4,216
)
(3,657
)
(9,150
)
(7,265
)
Income before taxes
$
2,086
$
2,439
$
3,432
$
4,442
Pharmaceutical segment profits are comprised of segment sales less standard costs, as well as marketing and administrative expenses and research and development costs directly incurred by the segment. Animal Health segment profits are comprised of segment sales, less all materials and production costs, as well as marketing and administrative expenses and research and development costs directly incurred by the segment. For internal management reporting presented to the chief operating decision maker, Merck does not allocate the remaining materials and production costs not included in segment profits as described above, research and development expenses incurred in Merck Research Laboratories, the Company’s research and development division that focuses on human health-related activities, or general and administrative expenses, nor the cost of financing these activities. Separate divisions maintain responsibility for monitoring and managing these costs, including depreciation related to fixed assets utilized by these divisions and, therefore, they are not included in segment profits. Also excluded from the determination of segment profits are acquisition and divestiture-related costs, including the amortization of purchase accounting adjustments, intangible asset impairment charges and changes in the estimated fair value measurement of liabilities for contingent consideration, restructuring costs, and a portion of equity income. Additionally, segment profits do not reflect other expenses from corporate and manufacturing cost centers and other miscellaneous income or expense. These unallocated items are reflected in “Other” in the above table. Also included in “Other” are miscellaneous corporate profits (losses), as well as operating profits (losses) related to third-party manufacturing sales. In the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted a new accounting standard related to the classification of certain defined benefit plan costs, which resulted in a change to the measurement of segment profits (see Note 16 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Prior period amounts have been recast to conform to the new presentation.
Pharmaceutical segment profits grew 4% in the
second
quarter of
2018
and 8% in the first
six
months of 2018 compared with the corresponding prior year periods driven primarily by higher sales and lower selling and promotion costs. Animal Health segment profits grew 14% in the
second
quarter of
2018
and 6% in the first
six
months of 2018 compared to the corresponding prior year periods driven primarily by higher sales, partially offset by increased selling and promotion costs.
Taxes on Income
The effective income tax rates of
17.8%
and
20.0%
for the
second
quarter of
2018
and
2017
, respectively, and
28.4%
and
21.0%
for the first
six
months of 2018 and 2017, respectively, reflect the impacts of acquisition and divestiture-related costs and restructuring costs, partially offset by the beneficial impact of foreign earnings. In addition, the effective income tax rate for the first
six
months of 2018 reflects the unfavorable impact of a
$1.4 billion
aggregate pretax charge recorded in connection with the formation of an oncology collaboration with Eisai for which no tax benefit was recognized. The effective income tax rates for the second quarter and first
six
months of 2017 also reflect a benefit of $88 million related to the settlement of a state income tax issue.
Net Income and Earnings per Common Share
Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. was
$1.7 billion
for the
second
quarter of
2018
compared with
$1.9 billion
for the
second
quarter of
2017
and was
$2.4 billion
for the first
six
months of 2018 compared with
$3.5 billion
for the first
six
months of 2017. Earnings per common share assuming dilution attributable to Merck & Co., Inc. common shareholders (EPS) for the
second
quarter of
2018
were
$0.63
compared with
$0.71
in the
second
quarter of
2017
and were
$0.90
for the first
six
months of 2018 compared with
$1.27
for the first
six
months of 2017.
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40
-
Non-GAAP Income and Non-GAAP EPS
Non-GAAP income and non-GAAP EPS are alternative views of the Company’s performance that Merck is providing because management believes this information enhances investors’ understanding of the Company’s results as it permits investors to understand how management assesses performance. Non-GAAP income and non-GAAP EPS exclude certain items because of the nature of these items and the impact that they have on the analysis of underlying business performance and trends. The excluded items (which should not be considered non-recurring) consist of acquisition and divestiture-related costs, restructuring costs and certain other items. These excluded items are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance. Non-GAAP income and non-GAAP EPS are important internal measures for the Company. Senior management receives a monthly analysis of operating results that includes non-GAAP EPS. Management uses these measures internally for planning and forecasting purposes and to measure the performance of the Company along with other metrics. Senior management’s annual compensation is derived in part using non-GAAP income and non-GAAP EPS. Since non-GAAP income and non-GAAP EPS are not measures determined in accordance with GAAP, they have no standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and, therefore, may not be comparable to the calculation of similar measures of other companies. The information on non-GAAP income and non-GAAP EPS should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for or superior to, net income and EPS prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP).
A reconciliation between GAAP financial measures and non-GAAP financial measures is as follows:
Three Months Ended
June 30,
Six Months Ended
June 30,
($ in millions except per share amounts)
2018
2017
2018
2017
Income before taxes as reported under GAAP
$
2,086
$
2,439
$
3,432
$
4,442
Increase (decrease) for excluded items:
Acquisition and divestiture-related costs
855
882
1,588
1,765
Restructuring costs
235
210
339
425
Other items:
Charge for Viralytics acquisition
344
—
344
—
Aggregate charge related to the formation of a collaboration with Eisai
—
—
1,400
—
Other
(32
)
—
(54
)
(9
)
Non-GAAP income before taxes
3,488
3,531
7,049
6,623
Taxes on income as reported under GAAP
370
488
975
935
Estimated tax benefit on excluded items
(1)
255
172
362
375
Benefit related to settlement of state income tax issue
—
88
—
88
Non-GAAP taxes on income
625
748
1,337
1,398
Non-GAAP net income
2,863
2,783
5,712
5,225
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
9
5
14
11
Non-GAAP net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.
$
2,854
$
2,778
$
5,698
$
5,214
EPS assuming dilution as reported under GAAP
$
0.63
$
0.71
$
0.90
$
1.27
EPS difference
(2)
0.43
0.30
1.21
0.62
Non-GAAP EPS assuming dilution
$
1.06
$
1.01
$
2.11
$
1.89
(1)
The estimated tax impact on the excluded items is determined by applying the statutory rate of the originating territory of the non-GAAP adjustments.
(2)
Represents the difference between calculated GAAP EPS and calculated non-GAAP EPS, which may be different than the amount calculated by dividing the impact of the excluded items by the weighted-average shares for the applicable period.
Acquisition and Divestiture-Related Costs
Non-GAAP income and non-GAAP EPS exclude the impact of certain amounts recorded in connection with business acquisitions and divestitures. These amounts include the amortization of intangible assets and amortization of purchase accounting adjustments to inventories, as well as intangible asset impairment charges and expense or income related to changes in the estimated fair value measurement of liabilities for contingent consideration. Also excluded are integration, transaction, and certain other costs associated with business acquisitions and divestitures.
Restructuring Costs
Non-GAAP income and non-GAAP EPS exclude costs related to restructuring actions (see Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). These amounts include employee separation costs and accelerated depreciation associated with facilities to be closed or divested. Accelerated depreciation costs represent the difference between the depreciation expense to be recognized over the revised useful life of the asset, based upon the anticipated date the site will be closed or divested or the equipment disposed of, and depreciation expense as determined utilizing the useful life prior to the restructuring actions. Restructuring costs also include asset abandonment, shut-down and other related costs, as well as employee-related costs such as
-
41
-
curtailment, settlement and termination charges associated with pension and other postretirement benefit plans and share-based compensation costs.
Certain Other Items
Non-GAAP income and non-GAAP EPS exclude certain other items. These items are adjusted for after evaluating them on an individual basis, considering their quantitative and qualitative aspects, and typically consist of items that are unusual in nature, significant to the results of a particular period or not indicative of future operating results. Excluded from non-GAAP income and non-GAAP EPS in 2018 is a charge for the acquisition of Viralytics (see Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements) and an aggregate charge related to the formation of a collaboration with Eisai (see Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Excluded from non-GAAP income and non-GAAP EPS in 2017 is a benefit related to the settlement of a state income tax issue (see Note 13 to the condensed consolidated financial statements).
Research and Development Update
Keytruda
is an FDA-approved anti-PD-1 therapy in clinical development for expanded indications in different cancer types.
In April 2018, Merck announced that the FDA accepted for review an sBLA for
Keytruda
based on results of the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-189 trial. The application seeks approval for
Keytruda
in combination with pemetrexed (Alimta) and platinum chemotherapy (carboplatin or cisplatin) as a first-line treatment for patients with metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC. The FDA granted Priority Review to this sBLA and set a PDUFA date of September 23, 2018. This supplemental application is based on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-189 trial, which were presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) 2018 Annual Meeting, and published simultaneously in
The New England Journal of Medicine
. KEYNOTE-189 is the confirmatory trial for KEYNOTE-021 (Cohort G), a Phase 2 study that made
Keytruda
the only FDA-approved anti-PD-1 therapy in combination with chemotherapy (pemetrexed plus carboplatin) for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC, regardless of PD-L1 expression.
In July 2018, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the EMA adopted a positive opinion recommending approval of
Keytruda
in combination with pemetrexed (Alimta) and platinum chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin) for the first-line treatment of metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC in adults whose tumors have no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations, regardless of PD-L1 expression. If approved, this would mark the first approval in Europe for an anti-PD-1 therapy in combination with chemotherapy, and is based on OS and PFS data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-189 trial. This recommendation will be reviewed by the EC for marketing authorization in the EU. A final decision is expected in the third quarter of 2018.
Also in July 2018, Merck announced that the FDA accepted and granted Priority Review for an sBLA for
Keytruda
in combination with carboplatin-paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel as a first-line treatment for metastatic squamous NSCLC, regardless of PD-L1 expression. This sBLA, which is seeking accelerated approval for this indication, is based on data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-407 trial, which were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2018 Annual Meeting. The FDA set a PDUFA date of October 30, 2018 for this application.
In April 2018, the FDA accepted for review an sBLA for
Keytruda
as a treatment in previously treated patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC based on data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-040 trial. The FDA has set a PDUFA date of December 28, 2018. KEYNOTE-040 will serve as the confirmatory trial and meet the post-marketing requirements for U.S. accelerated approval of KEYNOTE-012/KEYNOTE-055 for second-line treatment of HNSCC. In July 2018, the CHMP of the EMA adopted a positive opinion recommending approval of
Keytruda
as monotherapy for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic HNSCC in adults whose tumors express PD-L1 with a tumor proportion score (TPS) of ≥50%, and who progressed on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy, based on data from the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-040 trial. This recommendation will be reviewed by the EC for marketing authorization in the EU. A final decision is expected in the third quarter of 2018.
In July 2018, Merck announced that the pivotal Phase 3 KEYNOTE-048 trial investigating
Keytruda
for first-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic HNSCC, met a primary endpoint of OS as monotherapy in patients whose tumors expressed PD-L1 (Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥20). Based on an interim analysis conducted by the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC), treatment with
Keytruda
monotherapy in these patients resulted in significantly longer OS compared to cetuximab in combination with platinum chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin) plus 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), the current standard of care for HNSCC in the first-line treatment setting. At the time of the interim analysis, the dual-primary endpoint of PFS for patients whose tumors expressed PD-L1 (CPS≥20) had not been reached. The safety profile of
Keytruda
in this trial was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies involving patients with HNSCC. These results will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting and submitted to regulatory authorities worldwide. Based on the recommendation of the DMC, the trial will continue with no changes to evaluate
Keytruda
monotherapy and
Keytruda
in combination with platinum chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin) plus 5-FU.
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42
-
Also in July 2018, the FDA accepted and granted Priority Review for an sBLA seeking approval for
Keytruda
for previously treated patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. This sBLA, which is seeking accelerated approval for this new indication, is based on data from the Phase 2 KEYNOTE-224 trial, which were presented at the ASCO 2018 Annual Meeting and published simultaneously in
The Lancet Oncology.
The FDA set a PDUFA date of November 9, 2018.
In June 2018, Merck announced that the FDA accepted for standard review an sBLA for
Keytruda
as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of patients with resected, high-risk stage III melanoma and granted a PDUFA date of February 16, 2019. This sBLA is based on a significant benefit in recurrence-free survival demonstrated by
Keytruda
in the pivotal Phase 3 EORTC1325/ KEYNOTE-054 trial, which was conducted in collaboration with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). These data were presented at the AACR 2018 Annual Meeting and published in
The New England Journal of Medicine
.
In addition,
Keytruda
has received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the FDA in combination with axitnib as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma; for the treatment of high-risk early-stage triple-negative breast cancer in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy; and for the treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma. Also, the FDA granted Breakthrough Therapy designation for
Keytruda
in combination with Lenvima for the potential treatment of patients with advanced and/or metastatic renal cell carcinoma and for the potential treatment of certain patients with advanced and/or metastatic non-microsatellite instability high/proficient mismatch repair endometrial carcinoma. The Lenvima and
Keytruda
combination therapy is being jointly developed by Merck and Eisai. The FDA’s Breakthrough Therapy designation is intended to expedite the development and review of a candidate that is planned for use, alone or in combination, to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition when preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints.
In June 2018, Merck announced results from KEYNOTE-042, a pivotal, Phase 3 trial evaluating
Keytruda
as monotherapy for the first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic nonsquamous or squamous NSCLC without EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. In this study,
Keytruda
monotherapy resulted in significantly longer OS than platinum-based chemotherapy (carboplatin plus paclitaxel or carboplatin plus pemetrexed) in patients with a PD-L1 TPS of ≥1%. Based on the recommendation of the DMC, the trial will continue to evaluate PFS, which is a secondary endpoint. Results from KEYNOTE-042 will be submitted to regulatory authorities worldwide.
The
Keytruda
clinical development program consists of more than 800 clinical trials, including more than 400 trials that combine
Keytruda
with other cancer treatments. These studies encompass more than 30 cancer types including: bladder, colorectal, esophageal, gastric, HNSCC, hepatocellular, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, melanoma, nasopharyngeal, NSCLC, ovarian, primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, prostate, renal, small-cell lung cancer and triple-negative breast, many of which are currently in Phase 3 clinical development. Further trials are being planned for other cancers.
In April 2018, Merck and AstraZeneca announced that the EMA validated for review the Marketing Authorization Application for Lynparza for use in patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious
BRCA
-mutated, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer who have been previously treated with chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant or metastatic setting. This is the first regulatory submission for a PARP inhibitor in breast cancer in Europe.
In June 2018, Merck and AstraZeneca announced positive results from the randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 SOLO-1 trial of Lynparza tablets. Women with
BRCA
-mutated advanced ovarian cancer treated first-line with Lynparza maintenance therapy had a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in PFS compared to placebo. The safety and tolerability profile of Lynparza was consistent with previous trials. Based upon these data, Merck and AstraZeneca plan to initiate discussions with health authorities regarding regulatory submissions.
In March 2018, Merck and Eisai announced a strategic collaboration for the worldwide co-development and co-commercialization of Lenvima, an orally available tyrosine kinase inhibitor discovered by Eisai (see Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Under the agreement, Merck and Eisai will develop and commercialize Lenvima jointly, both as monotherapy and in combination with
Keytruda
. Lenvima is currently approved as monotherapy for use in the treatment of thyroid cancer, as well as in combination with everolimus for the treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma who have failed previous therapy. Applications for regulatory approval of Lenvima monotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma have been submitted in the United States, Europe, China and other countries. In May 2018, Merck and Eisai announced that the FDA extended the PDUFA date for the supplemental New Drug Application for Lenvima for the potential first-line treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma to August 24, 2018. Additionally, a Phase 3 study, sponsored by Eisai, is ongoing to evaluate separate combinations of Lenvima with
Keytruda
or Lenvima with everolimus versus chemotherapy alone for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. Per the agreement, the companies will also jointly initiate new clinical studies evaluating the Lenvima/
Keytruda
combination to support 11 potential indications in six types of cancer (endometrial cancer, NSCLC, hepatocellular carcinoma, head and neck cancer, bladder cancer and melanoma), as well as a basket trial targeting multiple cancer types.
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In July 2018, Merck announced Week 96 results from the Phase 3 DRIVE-FORWARD clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of doravirine (MK-1439), the Company’s investigational non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, in combination with other antiretroviral agents, for the treatment of HIV-1 infection, in adult patients with no prior antiretroviral treatment history. At Week 96, 73.1% of the group treated with once-daily doravirine achieved viral suppression as measured by the proportion of patients who achieved HIV-1 RNA of less than 50 copies/mL, compared to 66.0% of the group treated with once-daily ritonavir-boosted darunavir. These study results were presented at the 22nd International AIDS conference. Doravirine, as a once-daily tablet for use in combination with other antiretroviral agents, and doravirine with lamivudine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in a once-daily fixed-dose combination single tablet as a complete regimen (MK-1439A), are both under review with the FDA and the EMA. The PDUFA date for both applications is October 23, 2018. An opinion from the CHMP of the EMA is expected in the second half of 2018.
In April 2018, Merck announced that a pivotal Phase 3 study of relebactam, the Company’s investigational beta-lactamase inhibitor, in combination with imipenem/cilastatin (MK-7655A), demonstrated a favorable overall response in the treatment of certain imipenem-non-susceptible bacterial infections, the primary endpoint, with lower treatment-emergent nephrotoxicity (kidney toxicity), a secondary endpoint, compared to a Colistin (colistimethate sodium) plus imipenem regimen. Based on these results, the Company plans to submit a New Drug Application to the FDA seeking regulatory approval of a fixed-dose combination of imipenem/cilastatin and relebactam.
In June 2018, Merck began the first Phase 3 study of V114, its investigational polyvalent conjugate vaccine for the prevention of pneumococcal disease, which will evaluate the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of V114 followed by Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent one year later in healthy adult subjects 50 years of age or older. Two additional Phase 3 studies started in July 2018. One will evaluate the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of V114 followed by Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent administered eight weeks later in adults infected with HIV, and the other will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of V114 in adults ages 18 to 49 at increased risk for pneumococcal disease. The decision to move V114 to Phase 3 was based on the findings of Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies, the results of which were presented at the International Society on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal in April 2018.
V920 is an investigational rVSV-ZEBOV (Ebola) vaccine candidate being studied in large scale Phase 2/3 clinical trials. In November 2014, Merck and NewLink Genetics announced an exclusive licensing and collaboration agreement for the investigational Ebola vaccine. In December 2015, Merck announced that the application for Emergency Use Assessment and Listing (EUAL) for V920 was accepted for review by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the WHO, the EUAL process is designed to expedite the availability of vaccines needed for public health emergencies such as another outbreak of Ebola. The decision to grant V920 EUAL status will be based on data regarding quality, safety, and efficacy/effectiveness; as well as a risk/benefit analysis for emergency use. While EUAL designation allows for emergency use, the vaccine remains investigational and has not yet been licensed for commercial distribution. In July 2016, Merck announced that the FDA granted V920 Breakthrough Therapy designation, and that the EMA granted the vaccine candidate PRIME (PRIority MEdicines) status. In December 2016, end of study results from the WHO ring vaccination trial were reported in Lancet supporting the July 2015 interim assessment that V920 offers substantial protection against Ebola virus disease, with no reported cases among vaccinated individuals from 10 days after vaccination in both randomized and non-randomized clusters. The Company intends to file the V920 Ebola vaccine with the FDA and EMA in 2019.
The chart below reflects the Company’s research pipeline as of August 1, 2018. Candidates shown in Phase 3 include specific products and the date such candidate entered into Phase 3 development. Candidates shown in Phase 2 include the most advanced compound with a specific mechanism or, if listed compounds have the same mechanism, they are each currently intended for commercialization in a given therapeutic area. Small molecules and biologics are given MK-number designations and vaccine candidates are given V-number designations. Except as otherwise noted, candidates in Phase 1, additional indications in the same therapeutic area (other than with respect to oncology) and additional claims, line extensions or formulations for in-line products are not shown.
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Phase 2
Phase 3 (Phase 3 entry date)
Under Review
Cancer
MK-3475
Keytruda
Advanced Solid Tumors
Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Ovarian
Prostate
MK-7902 Lenvima
(1)
Biliary Tract
Non-Small-Cell Lung
V937
Cavatak
Melanoma
Cytomegalovirus
V160
Diabetes Mellitus
MK-8521
(2)
HIV Infection
MK-8591
Pediatric Neurofibromatosis Type 1
MK-5618 (selumetinib)
(1)(3)
Schizophrenia
MK-8189
Bacterial Infection
MK-7655A (relebactam+imipenem/cilastatin)
(October 2015)
Cancer
MK-3475
Keytruda
Breast (October 2015)
Colorectal (November 2015)
Esophageal (December 2015)
Gastric (May 2015) (EU)
Hepatocellular (May 2016) (EU)
Nasopharyngeal (April 2016)
Renal (October 2016)
Small-Cell Lung (May 2017)
MK-7339 Lynparza
(1)
Pancreatic (December 2014)
Prostate (April 2017)
MK-7902 Lenvima
(1)
Endometrial (June 2018)
(4)
Cough
MK-7264 (gefapixant) (March 2018)
Ebola Vaccine
V920 (March 2015)
Heart Failure
MK-1242 (vericiguat) (September 2016)
(1)
Herpes Zoster
V212 (inactivated VZV vaccine)
(December 2010)
(2)
Pneumoconjugate Vaccine
V114 (June 2018)
New Molecular Entities/Vaccines
HIV
MK-1439 (doravirine) (U.S.) (EU)
MK-1439A (doravirine/lamivudine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) (U.S.) (EU)
Pediatric Hexavalent Combination Vaccine
V419 (U.S.)
(1)(5)
Certain Supplemental Filings
Cancer
MK-3475
Keytruda
• Combination with Carboplatin and Pemetrexed in
First-Line Non-Squamous Non-Small-Cell Lung
Cancer KEYNOTE-189 (U.S.) (EU)
• First-Line Metastatic Squamous Non-Small-Cell Lung
Cancer KEYNOTE-407 (U.S.)
• Second-Line Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
KEYNOTE-040 (U.S.) (EU)
• Second-Line Hepatocellular Carcinoma
KEYNOTE-224 (U.S.)
• Adjuvant Therapy in Advanced Melanoma
KEYNOTE-054 (U.S.)
MK-7339 Lynparza
(1)
• Second-Line Metastatic Breast Cancer (EU)
MK-7902 Lenvima
(1)
• First-Line Hepatocellular Carcinoma (U.S.) (EU)
Footnotes:
(1)
Being developed in a collaboration.
(2)
Development is currently on hold.
(3)
This is a registrational study.
(4)
Being developed in combination with
Keytruda
.
(5)
V419 is an investigational pediatric hexavalent combination vaccine, DTaP5-IPV-Hib-HepB, that is being developed and, if approved, will be commercialized through a partnership of Merck and Sanofi. In November 2015, the FDA issued a CRL with respect to V419. Merck and Sanofi provided a response to the CRL, which was deemed complete and acceptable for review.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
($ in millions)
June 30, 2018
December 31, 2017
Cash and investments
$
17,627
$
20,623
Working capital
5,936
6,152
Total debt to total liabilities and equity
27.4
%
27.8
%
Cash provided by operating activities was
$4.5 billion
in the first
six
months of
2018
compared with
$3.6 billion
in the first
six
months of
2017
. Cash provided by operating activities in the first
six
months of 2018 includes $750 million of upfront payments made by the Company related to the formation of a collaboration with Eisai (see Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). Cash provided by operating activities in the first
six
months of 2017 includes a $625 million payment made by the Company related to the previously disclosed settlement of worldwide
Keytruda
patent litigation. Cash provided by operating activities continues to be the Company’s primary source of funds to finance operating needs, capital expenditures, treasury stock purchases and dividends paid to shareholders.
Cash provided by investing activities was
$476 million
in the first
six
months of
2018
compared with
$2.1 billion
in the first
six
months of
2017
. The decline was driven primarily by lower proceeds from the sales of securities and other investments, as well as a $350 million milestone payment in 2018 related to a collaboration with Bayer (see Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements), and higher capital expenditures, partially offset by lower purchases of securities and other investments.
Cash used in financing activities was
$5.7 billion
in the first
six
months of
2018
compared with
$4.8 billion
in the first
six
months of
2017
. The higher use of cash in financing activities was driven primarily by higher payments on debt, payment of
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45
-
contingent consideration related to a prior year business acquisition, and lower proceeds from the exercise of stock options, partially offset by higher short-term borrowings.
Capital expenditures totaled
$1.0 billion
and
$732 million
for the first
six
months of
2018
and
2017
, respectively.
Dividends paid to stockholders were
$2.6 billion
for both the first
six
months of
2018
and
2017
. In May 2018, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.48 per share on the Company’s common stock for the third quarter that was paid in July 2018. In July 2018, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.48 per share on the Company’s common stock for the fourth quarter that will be paid in October 2018.
In November 2017, Merck’s board of directors authorized additional purchases of up to $10 billion of Merck’s common stock for its treasury. The treasury stock purchase has no time limit and will be made over time in open-market transactions, block transactions on or off an exchange, or in privately negotiated transactions. During the first
six
months of
2018
, the Company purchased
$2.2 billion
(
37 million
shares) for its treasury under this and a previously authorized share repurchase program. As of
June 30, 2018
, the Company’s remaining share repurchase authorization was
$8.9 billion
.
In January 2018, $1.0 billion of 1.10% notes matured in accordance with their terms and were repaid. In May 2018, $1.0 billion of 1.30% notes and $1.0 billion of floating-rate notes matured in accordance with their terms and were repaid.
The Company has a $6.0 billion credit facility that matures in June 2023. The facility provides backup liquidity for the Company’s commercial paper borrowing facility and is to be used for general corporate purposes. The Company has not drawn funding from this facility.
In March 2018, the Company filed a securities registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the automatic shelf registration process available to “well-known seasoned issuers” which is effective for three years.
The economy of Argentina was recently determined to be hyperinflationary; consequently, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company will remeasure its monetary assets and liabilities for those operations in earnings beginning in the third quarter of 2018. The Company’s net monetary assets in Argentina were approximately $65 million at June 30, 2018.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company’s significant accounting policies, which include management’s best estimates and judgments, are included in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2017
included in Merck’s Form 10‑K filed on February 27, 2018. Certain of these accounting policies are considered critical as disclosed in the Critical Accounting Policies section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in Merck’s Form 10-K because of the potential for a significant impact on the financial statements due to the inherent uncertainty in such estimates. There have been no significant changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies since
December 31, 2017
. See Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for information on the adoption of new accounting standards during the quarter.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Management of the Company, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures over financial reporting for the period covered by this Form 10–Q. Based on this assessment, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as of
June 30, 2018
, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. For the period covered by this report, there have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
CAUTIONARY FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
This report and other written reports and oral statements made from time to time by the Company may contain so-called “forward-looking statements,” all of which are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. One can identify these forward-looking statements by their use of words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “will,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “projects” and other words of similar meaning, or negative variations of any of the foregoing. One can also identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements are likely to address the Company’s growth strategy, financial results, product development, product approvals, product potential and development programs. One must carefully consider any such statement and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s forward-looking statements. These factors include inaccurate assumptions and a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties, including
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46
-
some that are known and some that are not. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially.
The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. One should carefully evaluate such statements in light of factors, including risk factors, described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, especially on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. In Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended
December 31, 2017
, as filed on February 27, 2018, the Company discusses in more detail various important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historic results. The Company notes these factors for investors as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. One should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, the reader should not consider any such list to be a complete statement of all potential risks or uncertainties.
PART II - Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The information called for by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to Note 8 included in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements (unaudited) — Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer purchases of equity securities for the three months ended
June 30, 2018
were as follows:
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
($ in millions)
Period
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
(1)
Average Price
Paid Per
Share
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares
That May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or Programs
(1)
April 1 - April 30
3,117,750
$56.24
$10,300
May 1 - May 31
11,974,462
$58.47
$9,599
June 1 - June 30
11,761,133
$61.28
$8,879
Total
26,853,345
$59.44
$8,879
(1)
Shares purchased during the period were made as part of plans approved by the Board of Directors in March 2015 and November 2017 each to purchase up to $10 billion of Merck’s common stock for its treasury.
Item 6. Exhibits
Number
Description
3.1
—
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Merck & Co., Inc. (November 3, 2009) – Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 4, 2009 (No. 1-6571)
3.2
—
By-Laws of Merck & Co., Inc. (effective July 22, 2015) – Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 28, 2015 (No. 1-6571)
31.1
—
Rule 13a – 14(a)/15d – 14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2
—
Rule 13a – 14(a)/15d – 14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1
—
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2
—
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
101
—
The following materials from Merck & Co., Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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47
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Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
MERCK & CO., INC.
Date: August 7, 2018
/s/ Jennifer Zachary
JENNIFER ZACHARY
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Date: August 7, 2018
/s/ Rita A. Karachun
RITA A. KARACHUN
Senior Vice President Finance - Global Controller
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Number
Description
3.1
—
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Merck & Co., Inc. (November 3, 2009) – Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 4, 2009 (No. 1-6571)
3.2
—
By-Laws of Merck & Co., Inc. (effective July 22, 2015) – Incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 28, 2015 (No. 1-6571)
31.1
—
Rule 13a – 14(a)/15d – 14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2
—
Rule 13a – 14(a)/15d – 14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1
—
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2
—
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
101
—
The following materials from Merck & Co., Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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49
-