Novartis 

1Q Revenues: $9.9 billion (+9%)

1Q Earnings: $2.3 billion (+10%)

Comments: Pharmaceuticals sales were up 6% to $6.3 billion. Key drivers included Diovan, up 11% to $1.4 billion, and contributions from the rollout of the new high blood pressure medicines Exforge and Tekturna/Rasilez, approved in 2007. Exforge sales were $72 million and Tekturna/Rasilez sales were $28 million in the quarter. Cardiovascular franchise sales fell 3% to $1.6 billion. Growth in the quarter reflects contributions from Sandoz, Consumer Health and Vaccines and Diagnostics, up 12%, 14% and 21% respectively.

Merck

1Q Revenues: $5.8 billion (+1%)

1Q Earnings: $3.3 billion (+94%)

Comments: Worldwide sales of Singulair were $1.1 billion (+10%); Cozaar and Hyzaar sales were $847 million (+6%); Fosamax and Fosamax Plus D sales were $470 million (-37%); Januvia, Janumet and Isentress sales were $1.8 billion (+14%). Worldwide sales of vaccines were $986 million in the quarter (+9%). Combined worldwide sales of Zetia and Vytorin, as reported by the Merck/Schering-Plough joint venture, were $1.2 billion (+6%). R&D expenses were $1.1 billion in the quarter (+5%). Restructuring costs, primarily employee separation costs associated with the company's global restructuring program, net of gains on the sales of facilities and related assets, were $70 million. Earnings in the quarter include a $2.2 billion gain related to a distribution from AstraZeneca LP.

Lilly 

1Q Revenues: $4.8 billion (+14%)

1Q Earnings: $1.1 billion (+109%)

Comments: Alimta, Byetta, Cialis, Cymbalta, Forteo, Strattera, Symbyax, Xigris and Yentreve collectively grew 33% to $1.7 billion, and accounted for 35% of total sales. Cymbalta sales were $605.1 million (+37%). Cialis sales were up 74% to $336.9 million. Alimta sales were $247.2 million (+32%). Zyprexa sales were $1.1 billion (+1%). R&D expenses were  $877.1 million (+5%). In the quarter, the company terminated development of its AIR Insulin program with partner Alkermes. The FDA accepted and gave priority review status to the company's NDA for prasugrel as a treatment for patients with acute coronary syndrome being managed with percutaneous coronary intervention. 1Q07 earnings were impacted by in-process R&D expenses associated with the ICOS acquisition.

News from our sister sites