Boston, MA 10/30/2013 (wallstreetpr) – Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) shares take a tumble following the poor weak earnings the company posted for the third quarter of 2013. The company continues to be troubled by patent issues with key drugs, which was further complicated by currency flip-flops. Both of the above primary drivers for the company were further compounded by fall in sale of diabetes drug in the US.
Merck has lost much of its sheen as a premier research and development drug maker, since a distinct decline in the overall productivity in this division has been noticeable. Besides, Merck is concerned with developing drugs focused on major diseases and this has proved to be contrary for the company.
The shift in focus in Research and Development for most of the modern pharma companies has led to Merck’s slow-down. Working on various verticals these companies address needs of niche pharma sectors offering unique, innovative products focusing on genetics-based solutions.
Merck is expected to move towards more innovative research and development soon – with likely focus on cancer, and immunology segments. Most other companies are already expanding into this segment as there are several subsections of diseases in this segment that allow for product innovation and development of niche pharma solutions.
The major drawback for Merck in the recent past has been the failure of its diabetes-niche drugs – Januvia and Janumet- in the U.S. markets. These drugs are found to be very effective in treating Diabetes Type 2. Worldwide both the drugs have seen good sales. However, in the U.S. alone the sale of these two drugs has fallen by nearly 8%.
The decline in the sale of these two drugs has been attributed to the sale of – Invokana- a drug launched by Johnson & Johnson in the first quarter of this year. Invokana has lowered the sales of Januvia in particular.
