Understanding the Performance of Merck’s Hospital Acute Care Drugs Noxafil and Cubicin

In 4Q17, Merck’s (MRK) Cubicin reported revenues of $92 million, which was ~23% lower on a YoY (year-over-year) basis but 1% higher on a QoQ (quarter-over-quarter) basis. In 4Q17, in the US and in international markets, Cubicin generated revenues of $40 million and $52 million, respectively, compared with $82 million and $36 million in 4Q16, which reflected a ~51% decline and 43% rise, respectively, YoY.

In fiscal 2017, Cubicin reported revenues of $382 million, compared with $1.1 billion in 2016. In 2017, Cubicin revenues witnessed a ~65% YoY decline.

Cubicin is an intravenous antibiotic used for the treatment of cSSSI (complicated skin and skin structure infections). In June 2016, the US composition patent of Cubicin expired. After the expiration of the patent in the US, Cubicin has been witnessing the rapid decline of revenues in the United States. In early 2018, Cubicin is expected to lose market exclusivity in certain European markets. Due to its loss of market exclusivity, Merck anticipates that Cubicin’s revenues could continue to decline during 2018.

In the marketplace, Cubicin’s peer drugs for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infected patients include Pfizer’s (PFE) Zyvox and Theravance Biopharma’s (TBPH) Vibativ.

In 4Q17, Noxafil reported revenues of $179 million, which represents a ~11% rise on a YoY basis and a 13% rise on a QoQ basis. In 4Q17, Noxafil generated revenues of $89 million and $90 million, respectively, in the US and in international markets, compared with $81 million and $80 million in 4Q16, which is ~10% higher and ~13% higher, respectively, YoY.

In 2017, Noxafil reported revenues of $636 million, which is ~7% higher on a YoY basis. In 2017, in the US and in international markets, Noxafil generated revenues of $309 million and $327 million, respectively, compared with $284 million and $312 million in 2016, which reflected a ~9% rise and a ~5% rise, respectively, YoY.

Noxafil is used for prevention of invasive fungal infections. Higher demand and pricing in the US and volume growth in Europe primarily attributed to the revenue growth of Noxafil in 2017. The approval of new formulations in Europe and higher demand in Asia-Pacific also pushed Noxafil’s revenue growth.

In the anti-fungal infection drug market, Noxafil competes with Pfizer’s (PFE) Vfend and Diflucan, Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) Sporanox and Nizoral.