Merck & Co. Thrives on Keytruda Sales Amid Diversification Efforts

Merck & Co., one of the world's top pharmaceutical companies, continues to thrive in the oncology sector. The company recently reported strong second-quarter results, with global revenue reaching $8.37 billion, up 5.1% from the same quarter last year.

The growth is largely driven by Keytruda, a cancer treatment based on pembrolizumab, which remains the world's top-selling drug and accounts for nearly half of Merck's total revenue. The company has introduced a new subcutaneous injection formulation, generating $463 million in revenue in Q2.

However, to reduce its dependence on Keytruda, Merck is diversifying its product portfolio through acquisitions, including the recent purchase of Terns Pharmaceuticals. By the mid-2030s, the company aims to achieve over $70 billion in revenue from new product launches.