How did Merck's Animal Health segment fare in 2024?

Merck's Animal Health segment showed strong performance in 2024, driven by significant sales growth across key products and geographic regions. Here's a detailed analysis:

1. **Sales Growth**: The Animal Health segment reported a 13% increase in sales, reaching $5.9 billion for the year. This growth was primarily fueled by robust demand for key products like KEYTRUDA and GARDASIL, which saw respective sales growth of 21% and 13%.
2. **Product-Specific Performance**:
- **KEYTRUDA**: Sales of this leading oncology drug reached $7.4 billion, marking a 21% increase. The growth was driven by increased uptake in earlier-stage cancer indications and continued strong demand in metastatic settings.
- **GARDASIL**: Despite a 10% decrease in sales due to lower demand in China, GARDASIL still achieved $2.3 billion in sales. The decline in China was partially offset by strong growth in other regions.
- **WINREVAIR**: This new product contributed significantly to the segment's growth, generating $149 million in sales, particularly boosted by its U.S. launch and recent EU approval.
3. **Regional Dynamics**: The Animal Health segment experienced notable growth in key regions beyond China. For instance, the U.S. market saw higher demand, primarily due to the uptake of new indications for KEYTRUDA. Additionally, the company leveraged opportunities in the Asia Pacific region, highlighting its global expansion efforts.
4. **Pipeline and Innovation**: Merck's continued investment in innovation is evident in its Animal Health segment. The company has a robust late-phase pipeline with several potential new growth drivers, indicating a positive outlook for future sales growth.

In summary, Merck's Animal Health segment performed well in 2024, driven by strong sales of key products, regional expansion, and a focus on innovation. Despite challenges in specific markets like China, the segment's overall growth trajectory remains positive.