Core Viewpoint - Merck's Q3 2025 financial report shows a mixed performance with overall revenue growth of 4%, but a significant decline in its core vaccine business, indicating broader challenges in the global vaccine market [1][3]. Company Performance - Merck's total revenue reached $17.3 billion in Q3 2025, marking a 4% year-over-year increase, reversing a 2% decline in Q2 2025 [3]. - The strong performance was driven by two key products: Winrevair, which saw a 141% increase in sales, rising from $149 million in 2024 to $360 million, and Keytruda, which grew 8% to $8.1 billion [3]. Vaccine Business Challenges - Merck's vaccine sales faced significant declines, particularly with Gardasil, which experienced a 25% drop in global sales due to weak demand in both China and the U.S. [1][2]. - Other vaccines, including Proquad, M-M-R II, and Varivax, collectively saw a 3% decrease in sales, primarily attributed to reduced demand in the U.S. market [2]. - The pneumococcal vaccine Vaxneuvance also declined by 6%, despite some offset from CDC inventory purchases [2]. Industry Trends - The decline in vaccine sales is not isolated to Merck; other major pharmaceutical companies like Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline reported similar downturns, indicating a broader trend in the vaccine industry [3]. - Factors contributing to this trend include a return to normal vaccine demand post-pandemic, changes in national healthcare policies, fluctuating vaccination willingness, and increased competition [4]. Future Outlook - Merck's vaccine business, once a key growth driver, is now a liability, necessitating strategies to address U.S. policy uncertainties, boost demand in emerging markets like China, and optimize its vaccine product pipeline [4]. - The collective downturn in vaccine sales may prompt pharmaceutical companies to accelerate business restructuring, reallocating resources towards oncology, chronic diseases, and rare diseases, which present greater growth potential [4].