Keytruda overtakes Opdivo to sustain Merck & Co growth

27 July 2018

Second-quarter 2018 sales of Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK) rose by 5% compared to a year ago due primarily to the relentless rise of Keytruda (pembrolizumab), which has now become the biggest selling immuno-oncology drug having overtaken Opdivo (nivolumab).

Keytruda sales rose 89% to $1.67 billion, beating the $1.6 billion raised for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) by Opdivo and exceeding the expectations of analysts.

"We continue to solidify our leadership in immuno-oncology and, along with our other key pillars of growth, we are confident in the strength of our business"

This article is accessible to registered users, to continue reading please register for free. A free trial will give you access to exclusive features, interviews, round-ups and commentary from the sharpest minds in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology space for a week. If you are already a registered user please login. If your trial has come to an end, you can subscribe here.

Try before you buy

Free

7 day trial access

Take a Free Trial

All the news that moves the needle in pharma and biotech
Exclusive features, podcasts, interviews, data analyses and commentary from our global network of life sciences reporters.
Receive The Pharma Letter daily news bulletin, free forever.

Become a subscriber

£820

Or £77 per month

Subscribe Now

Unfettered access to industry-leading news, commentary and analysis in pharma and biotech.
Updates from clinical trials, conferences, M&A, licensing, financing, regulation, patents & legal, executive appointments, commercial strategy and financial results.
Daily roundup of key events in pharma and biotech.
Monthly in-depth briefings on Boardroom appointments and M&A news.
Choose from a cost-effective annual package or a flexible monthly subscription

The Pharma Letter is an extremely useful and valuable Life Sciences service that brings together a daily update on performance people and products. It’s part of the key information for keeping me informed

Chairman, Sanofi Aventis UK