1150 GMT - Merck KGaA anticipates its research and development costs will normalize to industry-peer levels as its pipeline advances and recent deals mature, Chief Executive Officer Belen Garijo says in a media call. The life-sciences and electronics company's R&D spending was 2.3 billion euros in 2024, and it expects it to gradually increase in 2025. Garijo reaffirms Merck's strategy to bolster in-licensing--agreements to use another company's products--and consider smaller mergers and acquisitions to strengthen its pipeline. Merck is looking for new assets as one of its key growth drivers, multiple sclerosis drug Mavenclad, will face patent expiry in 2026. The German company's goal is to achieve a 50-50 split between internal and external innovation for future product launches, Garijo adds. Shares are up 1.6% at 139.30 euros. (helena.smolak@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 06, 2025 06:50 ET (11:50 GMT)
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