Merck reports strong bottom-line performance in second quarter

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2010. The company reported non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter of $0.86, which excludes purchase accounting adjustments, merger-related expenses, restructuring costs and the gain on AstraZeneca's asset option exercise. Second-quarter GAAP EPS was $0.24.

“Our strong bottom-line performance in the second quarter demonstrates Merck's continued success in executing our post-merger strategy”

Worldwide sales for the second quarter of 2010 were $11.3 billion. Net income for the second quarter was $752 million.

For the first six months of 2010, worldwide sales were $22.8 billion and net income was $1,051 million.

A reconciliation of EPS as reported in accordance with GAAP to EPS, excluding certain items, is provided in the table that follows. The second quarter of 2009 GAAP results below reflect legacy Merck on a stand-alone basis.

Net income attributable to Merck & Co., Inc.

"Our strong bottom-line performance in the second quarter demonstrates Merck's continued success in executing our post-merger strategy," said Richard T. Clark, chairman and chief executive officer. "We're now halfway through our first full year as a combined company. Already we're seeing positive signs of what can be achieved - despite patent expiries and a challenging economy. I'm very pleased with what our team has accomplished."

"Key brands, including JANUVIA, JANUMET, REMICADE, ISENTRESS, and TEMODAR were again standouts this quarter. In addition, Animal Health and Merck Consumer Care, produced strong global sales," he added. "With our strong performance for the first half of the year, we continue to have confidence in delivering on our long-term financial targets."

Merck is providing information on 2010 and 2009 non-GAAP earnings per share that excludes certain items because of the nature of these items and the impact they have on the analysis of underlying business performance and trends. Management believes that providing this information enhances investors' understanding of the company's performance. This information should be considered in addition to, but not in lieu of, earnings per share prepared in accordance with GAAP. For a description of the items, see Tables 2a and 2b, including the related footnotes, attached to this release.

Represents an estimated income tax (benefit) expense on the reconciling items. impact on above items

Select Business Highlights

• In June, Merck's newest asthma medication, DULERA (mometasone furoate and formoterol fumarate dehydrate) Inhalation Aerosol, a new fixed-dose combination, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients 12 years of age and older.

• Also, in June, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommended marketing approval for BRINAVESS (vernakalant) in the European Union (EU) for the conversion of recent onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm and issued a positive opinion to extend the indication for GARDASIL to include women up to the age of 45 years. The group also recommended the marketing of SYCREST (asenapine) for the treatment of moderate to severe manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults, but did not recommend marketing for the treatment of schizophrenia.
• The company has been moving rapidly to complete integration actions and achieve its synergy target of $3.5 billion of annual savings in 2012. The recently restructured research network will be comprised of 16 major R&D facilities worldwide, and planned actions announced since the merger will reduce Merck's manufacturing network from 91 to 77 facilities, including 29 Animal Health locations. The company will continue to pursue productivity efficiencies and evaluate its manufacturing supply chain capabilities on an ongoing basis.
• Merck broke ground on a new manufacturing site in Hangzhou, China on July 12 as part of its expansion plans for China. The 37,000 square meter site is expected to start production in 2012. It will package solid dosage pharmaceuticals and sterile products for the Chinese market and manufacture clinical/commercial supplies to support future new product introductions.
• The company and Sinopharm (China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation) recently announced the signing of a statement of mutual intent toward establishing a joint venture to register, manufacture, and commercialize adult and pediatric vaccines in China. The proposed joint venture would involve Merck vaccines, including human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as well as utilize technology from Sinopharm for a rotavirus vaccine, a Hib (Haemophilus influenza type B) vaccine and a varicella vaccine.
• Patient enrollment in the main component of the second pivotal trial for vorapaxar is complete. More than 12,500 patients with acute coronary syndrome have fully enrolled in the TRA-CER trial and will be followed for a minimum of one year.
• Additionally, IMPROVE-IT, a large cardiovascular outcomes study evaluating ZETIA/VYTORIN in patients with acute coronary syndrome, is now fully enrolled with 18,000 patients.

Second-Quarter Financial Results

The following supplemental combined second-quarter 2009 non-GAAP sales are adjusted to reflect a full quarter of legacy Merck and legacy Schering-Plough combined results. This supplemental information is provided to enhance investors' understanding of the company's products and overall business performance and should be considered in addition to, but not in lieu of, sales recorded in accordance with GAAP.

Human Health includes worldwide prescription pharmaceutical sales and consumer product sales excluding the U.S. and Canada. Consumer Care includes U.S. and Canada consumer product sales.

 Other revenues are primarily comprised of alliance revenue, miscellaneous corporate revenues and third party manufacturing sales. Revenue from AstraZeneca LP recorded by Merck was $241 million in the second quarter of 2010.

The company's financial performance for the second quarter of 2010 discussed below reflects the combined company results. The increases noted are largely due to the inclusion of legacy Schering-Plough operations which are not included in the 2009 results.

Materials and production costs were $4.5 billion for the second quarter of 2010, compared to $1.4 billion for the second quarter of 2009. The second quarter of 2010 includes $1.7 billion of additional costs related to the amortization of purchase accounting adjustments to inventories and to intangible assets recognized as a result of the merger. The second quarters of 2010 and 2009 include $224 million and $47 million, respectively, for costs associated with restructuring programs. The gross margin was 59.9 percent for the second quarter of 2010, reflecting a 16.6 percentage point unfavorable impact from the purchase accounting adjustments and restructuring costs noted above. In 2009, gross margin was 77.1 percent for the second quarter, reflecting a 0.8 percentage point unfavorable impact due to restructuring costs.

Marketing and administrative expenses were $3.2 billion for the second quarter of 2010. Costs for the second quarter include $75 million of merger-related costs. Marketing and administrative costs were $1.7 billion for the second quarter of 2009. Costs for the second quarter of 2009 include $44 million of merger-related expenses.

Research and development expenses were $2.2 billion for the second quarter of 2010, which included $144 million of costs for restructuring activities. Expenses for 2009 were $1.4 billion for the quarter which included $108 million of costs for restructuring activities.

Restructuring costs, primarily related to employee separations, were $526 million for the second quarter of 2010, compared with $37 million for the second quarter of 2009. The increase for the second quarter of 2010 is associated with the merger restructuring program.

Total overall costs associated with the company's global restructuring programs included in materials and production, research and development, and restructuring costs were $894 million and $192 million for the second quarters of 2010 and 2009, respectively, primarily comprised of employee separation costs and accelerated depreciation.

Equity income from affiliates was $43 million in the second quarter of 2010. Equity income from affiliates no longer reflects any contribution from the Merck/Schering-Plough partnership or from Merial Limited.

Other (income) expense, net was $280 million of income in the second quarter of 2010 compared with $4 million of expense in the second quarter of 2009 largely reflecting $443 million of income recognized in the second quarter of 2010 upon AstraZeneca's asset option exercise, partially offset by higher interest expense and lower interest income as a result of the merger.

The effective tax rate of 37.1 percent for the second quarter of 2010 reflects the impact of purchase accounting adjustments, the gain on AstraZeneca's asset option exercise and restructuring charges. The non-GAAP effective tax rate, which excludes these items, was 20.5 percent for the quarter.

Financial Targets

For 2010, Merck is now targeting a non-GAAP EPS range of $3.29 to $3.39, excluding certain items, and a 2010 GAAP EPS range of $0.82 to $1.16. The 2010 non-GAAP guidance excludes purchase accounting adjustments, restructuring and merger-related costs, the gain on AstraZeneca's asset option exercise, and the first-quarter tax charge related to the recently enacted U.S. health care reform legislation. EPS and other financial targets for 2010 assume that Merck will retain full rights to REMICADE and SIMPONI in the applicable markets.

A reconciliation of anticipated 2010 EPS as reported in accordance with GAAP to non-GAAP EPS that excludes certain items is provided in the table that follows:

Represents an estimated income tax (benefit) expense on the reconciling items.

Merck said it now expects full-year 2010 revenue to be between $45.4 billion and $46.1 billion, including the impact of the recently passed health care reform legislation. For the full year 2010, the increased Medicaid rebates (including Managed Medicaid) and other impacts are expected to reduce revenue by approximately $170 million, which includes a second-quarter 2010 impact of approximately $44 million and $76 million for the first half of 2010.

Non-GAAP research and development expense, which excludes joint ventures, is now anticipated to be approximately $8.2 billion to $8.6 billion for the full year of 2010. This guidance excludes the portion of the restructuring costs and any in-process R&D impairment charges included in research and development expense for 2010.

Merck continues to estimate that its consolidated non-GAAP 2010 tax rate will be approximately 22 percent to 24 percent.

Merck continues to target a high single-digit non-GAAP EPS compound annual growth rate for the combined company from 2009 to 2013 when compared to Merck 2009 non-GAAP EPS. As the company has previously said, the longer-term targets are applicable regardless of the assumptions made for the REMICADE and SIMPONI business.

Product Performance

The sales figures discussed below for legacy Schering-Plough products are reported on a GAAP basis, which represents sales for the second quarter of 2010 only.

Bone, Respiratory, Immunology and Dermatology

Worldwide sales of SINGULAIR (montelukast sodium), a once-a-day oral medicine indicated for the chronic treatment of asthma and the relief of symptoms of allergic rhinitis, were $1.3 billion for the second quarter of 2010, comparable with the second quarter of 2009.

Global sales of NASONEX (mometasone furoate monohydrate), nasal spray, an inhaled nasal corticosteroid for the treatment of nasal allergy symptoms, were $338 million for the second quarter of 2010.

Sales of REMICADE (infliximab) were $669 million for the second quarter of 2010. REMICADE is a treatment for inflammatory diseases which is marketed by Merck in countries outside the United States (except in Japan and certain other Asian markets). In addition, SIMPONI (golimumab), a once-monthly, subcutaneous treatment for certain inflammatory diseases, has been launched in ten countries including Canada, Germany, and recently in Spain; launches in other international markets are planned.

Cardiovascular

Global sales of ZETIA (ezetimibe) and VYTORIN (ezetimibe/simvastatin) were $564 million and $490 million, respectively, for the second quarter of 2010. Combined global sales of ZETIA and VYTORIN were $1.1 billion for the second quarter of 2010.

Diabetes and Obesity

JANUVIA (sitagliptin), Merck's DPP-4 inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, recorded worldwide sales of $600 million during the second quarter of 2010, representing a 30 percent increase compared with same quarter in 2009. JANUMET (sitagliptin/metformin hydrochloride), a single tablet that targets all three key defects of type 2 diabetes, achieved worldwide sales of $218 million during the quarter, an increase of 41 percent compared with the second quarter 2009. The JANUVIA/JANUMET combined franchise had sales of $818 million during the second quarter of 2010, an increase of 33 percent compared to the same quarter in 2009.

Infectious Disease

ISENTRESS (raltegravir), an HIV integrase inhibitor for use in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection, reported worldwide sales of $267 million for the second quarter of 2010, an increase of 55 percent compared with the second quarter of 2009.

Worldwide sales of PEGINTRON (peginterferon alfa-2b) for chronic hepatitis C were $185 million for the second quarter of 2010.

Mature Brands

Merck's mature brands are human health pharmaceutical products that are approaching the expiration of their marketing exclusivity or are no longer protected by patents in developed markets, but continue to be a core part of the company's offering in other markets around the world.

Global sales of Merck's antihypertensive medicines, COZAAR (losartan potassium) and HYZAAR⁷ (losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide), were $485 million for the second quarter of 2010, representing a 46 percent decrease compared with the second quarter of 2009. The company is experiencing a significant decline in COZAAR/HYZAAR sales since these medicines have lost marketing exclusivity in the United States and in major European markets.

 COZAAR and HYZAAR are registered trademarks of E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del.

Neuroscience and Ophthalmology

Global sales of MAXALT (rizatriptan benzoate), Merck's tablet for the treatment of acute migraine, were $133 million for the second quarter of 2010, a 5 percent decrease from the same quarter last year.

Oncology

Sales of TEMODAR (temozolomide), a treatment for certain types of brain tumors, were $271 million for the second quarter of 2010.

Vaccines

Total sales as recorded by Merck of its cervical cancer vaccine, GARDASIL (human papillomavirus (HPV) quadrivalent (types 6, 11, 16, 18) vaccine, recombinant), were $219 million for the second quarter of 2010, an 18 percent decline from the same quarter in 2009.

Worldwide sales of Merck's other viral vaccines, which include VARIVAX (varicella virus vaccine live), M-M-R II (measles, mumps and rubella virus vaccine live) and PROQUAD (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella virus vaccine live), as recorded by Merck, were $340 million for the second quarter of 2010, an increase of 5 percent compared with the same period a year earlier.

ZOSTAVAX (zoster vaccine live), the company's vaccine to help prevent shingles (herpes zoster), recorded sales of $18 million in the United States for the second quarter of 2010 compared with $42 million for the second quarter of 2009. Customers will experience backorders, or periods where they are unable to place orders, for ZOSTAVAX throughout 2010 and possibly into 2011. Due to supply constraints, no international launches or immunization programs are currently planned for this year or 2011.

Women's Health and Endocrine

Global sales of NUVARING (etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring), a contraceptive product, were $145 million for the second quarter of 2010.

Sales of FOLLISTIM/PUREGON (follitropin beta injection), a fertility treatment, were $137 million for the second quarter of 2010.

Product Performance - Animal Health

Animal Health sales totaled $731 million for the second quarter of 2010, reflecting continued strong performance among cattle, poultry and swine products. Animal Health includes pharmaceutical and vaccine products for the prevention, treatment and control of disease in all major farm and companion animal species. Merck's Animal Health business is subject to a proposed joint venture with sanofi-aventis which the company expects to close in the first quarter of 2011.

Vaccines in most major European markets are sold through the company's joint venture, Sanofi Pasteur MSD, and the results from the company's interest in the joint venture are recorded in equity income from affiliates.

Product Performance - Consumer Care

Consumer Care sales were $422 million for the second quarter of 2010, which reflect strong sales for CLARITIN and suncare products as well as continued demand for DR. SCHOLL'S Custom Fit Orthotics. Merck Consumer Care includes footcare and suncare consumer products, and a variety of over-the-counter medicines.

Select Company Data

As of June 30, Merck had approximately 93,000 employees worldwide.