Core Insights - Eli Lilly is projected to become the highest-selling biopharmaceutical company globally by 2030, with sales expected to reach $113 billion, significantly surpassing Novo Nordisk's anticipated $84 billion [2] - The diabetes and obesity drug market is expected to dominate, with an average annual growth rate of 20% from 2024 to 2030 [2] - GLP-1 receptor agonists and related drugs are expected to account for nearly 9% of the global prescription drug market by 2030, marking a significant category in the pharmaceutical landscape [2] Group 1: Sales Projections - Eli Lilly's diabetes treatment Mounjaro is expected to become the best-selling drug globally by 2030, with projected sales of $36 billion [4] - Novo Nordisk's drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, are also expected to rank among the top ten best-selling drugs, with sales of $24.4 billion and $18.1 billion respectively [4] - Three clinical-stage obesity drugs are anticipated to enter the global sales top ten by 2030, with Eli Lilly's Orforglipron and Retatrutide projected to achieve sales of $12.7 billion and $5.6 billion respectively [4] Group 2: Company Rankings and Growth - The top seven companies in global prescription drug sales for 2024 are projected to be Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, Merck, Roche, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Novartis, with sales ranging from $50.2 billion to $55.7 billion [5] - Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are expected to surpass these companies by 2030, with AbbVie showing significant growth to $75.3 billion, driven by its immunology drugs [5][6] - Sanofi is projected to grow from $44.2 billion in 2024 to $64.8 billion by 2030, largely due to its drug Dupixent [6] Group 3: Market Dynamics - Roche is expected to see its overall prescription drug sales increase from $52.5 billion to $66.3 billion by 2030, despite not having any single drug in the top ten [7] - Merck's sales are projected to grow from $54.3 billion to $60 billion, with Keytruda facing competition from biosimilars [7] - The rapid expansion of the diabetes and obesity treatment market is reshaping the pharmaceutical industry, positioning Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk as new leaders [8]

Group 1 - Merck (MRK.US) made a non-binding acquisition offer exceeding $3 billion for MoonLake Immunotherapeutics (MLTX.US), which was rejected, but negotiations may resume [1] - Following the news, MoonLake's stock surged over 30% in after-hours trading, stabilizing at approximately a 20% increase [1] - MoonLake specializes in developing treatments for inflammatory diseases using its proprietary nanobody technology, with its core drug sonelokimab currently in Phase 3 trials for hidradenitis suppurativa and psoriatic arthritis [1] Group 2 - Merck has been reliant on its blockbuster drug Keytruda for growth, but its patent is set to expire in 2028, and revenue from Gardasil in China has been declining [2] - In April, Merck announced plans to invest $1 billion in a new manufacturing facility in the U.S. to ensure Keytruda supply is not affected by tariffs, marking its first internal production site for Keytruda in the U.S. [2] - As of the latest update, Merck's stock experienced a slight decline of 0.07% in after-hours trading [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2024, the company achieved a strong top line growth of 10%, with sales increasing to CAD 64.2 billion, despite a significant decline in GARDASIL demand in China [7][12] - Non-GAAP EPS was CAD 7.65, which included a net charge of CAD 1.28 per share for certain business development related transactions [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The oncology segment continues to lead, with Keytruda prescribed to over 2.6 million patients globally and FDA approvals for 41 indications [9] - The cardiometabolic disease area saw significant momentum with the successful launch of WinRiver, which received regulatory approvals in over 40 countries [10][24] - The Animal Health business is positioned for consistent above-market growth driven by new product launches [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - GARDASIL and GARDASIL nine remain robust in most major regions, although demand in China slowed in 2024 [12] - The FDA accepted the Biologics License Application for klezrovimab, with a PDUFA action date set for June [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to a science-driven strategy, focusing on investing in medicines and vaccines that save and improve lives [6] - The pipeline is the most diversified in recent history, with nearly 20 potential new products on the horizon, most representing blockbuster opportunities [8] - Business development remains a priority, with over CAD 40 billion invested since 2021 to expand the pipeline [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged challenges in the pharmaceutical industry, including regulatory changes and specific issues with the GARDASIL franchise in China, but expressed confidence in the overall health of the business [64] - The company remains focused on scientific excellence and disciplined operational execution to deliver long-term value for patients and shareholders [19] Other Important Information - The company reached nearly half a billion people globally with its products through various channels [16] - Significant investments in manufacturing and R&D capabilities are planned, including a $1 billion vaccine manufacturing facility and a $895 million expansion of the animal health manufacturing facility [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: What caused the recent share price decline and what plans are there to address it? - Management attributed the decline to various factors affecting the stock market and the pharmaceutical industry, including regulatory actions and challenges with the GARDASIL franchise in China, but emphasized the strength of the overall business [64] Question: What is the Board's process for communicating with shareholders? - The Board welcomes input from shareholders and provides information on communication processes in the proxy statement [67] Question: Does DEI further the business? - Management reaffirmed the company's commitment to diversity and inclusion as a core value and strategic imperative [68] Question: What is the Board's plan for profits downstream of AI? - The company is investing in AI to enhance innovation and productivity across its value chain, which is expected to drive shareholder value [70][71] Question: How is the Board of Directors selected? - All Board members are shareholders, and the selection process aims for a balance of skills and experience [72] Question: Why give shares to executives at a reduced rate? - The Compensation and Management Development Committee regularly reviews the long-term incentive plan to align management interests with those of shareholders while managing dilution [75]