Keytruda key to Merck & Co's quarterly results beating estimates

US pharma giant Merck & Co (NYSE:MRK) has beaten analysts’ predictions in its second quarter revenue total, thanks partly to strong sales of its new cancer drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab) and the diabetes product Januvia (sitagliptin).

Overall revenue grew 1% for the quarter compared to the same period last year, reaching $9.84 billion, which was above analysts' average estimate of $9.78 billion.

Net income was $1.21 billion on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis, almost double the $687 million sum for 2015’s second quarter. That difference is partly due to last year’s figure being hit by the $715 cost of the Venezuelan economic crisis.