Organon & Co. (OGN)
SIC breadcrumb: Manufacturing > Chemicals And Allied Products > SIC 2834 Pharmaceutical Preparations
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1821825. Latest filing source: 0001628280-26-011125.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read OGN's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read OGN's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 6,216,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-24 |
| Net income | 187,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-24 |
| Assets | 12,867,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-24 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-24. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001821825.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 7,777,000,000 | 6,532,000,000 | 6,304,000,000 | 6,174,000,000 | 6,263,000,000 | 6,403,000,000 | 6,216,000,000 | |
| Net income | 3,218,000,000 | 2,160,000,000 | 1,351,000,000 | 917,000,000 | 1,023,000,000 | 864,000,000 | 187,000,000 | |
| Gross profit | 3,880,000,000 | 3,748,000,000 | 3,715,000,000 | 3,313,000,000 | ||||
| Diluted EPS | 12.69 | 8.52 | 5.31 | 3.59 | 3.99 | 3.33 | 0.72 | |
| Operating cash flow | 858,000,000 | 799,000,000 | 939,000,000 | 700,000,000 | ||||
| Capital expenditures | 92,000,000 | 255,000,000 | 192,000,000 | 196,000,000 | 251,000,000 | 175,000,000 | 162,000,000 | |
| Dividends paid | 0.00 | 0.00 | 145,000,000 | 290,000,000 | 294,000,000 | 297,000,000 | 88,000,000 | |
| Assets | 10,109,000,000 | 10,681,000,000 | 10,955,000,000 | 12,058,000,000 | 13,101,000,000 | 12,867,000,000 | ||
| Liabilities | 11,847,000,000 | 12,128,000,000 | 12,629,000,000 | 12,115,000,000 | ||||
| Stockholders' equity | 6,348,000,000 | 7,035,000,000 | 5,486,000,000 | -1,508,000,000 | -892,000,000 | -70,000,000 | 472,000,000 | 752,000,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 12,000,000 | 737,000,000 | 706,000,000 | 693,000,000 | 675,000,000 | 574,000,000 | ||
| Free cash flow | 662,000,000 | 548,000,000 | 764,000,000 | 538,000,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 41.38% | 33.07% | 21.43% | 14.85% | 16.33% | 13.49% | 3.01% | |
| Return on equity | 45.74% | 39.37% | 183.05% | 24.87% | ||||
| Return on assets | 21.37% | 12.65% | 8.37% | 8.48% | 6.59% | 1.45% | ||
| Liabilities / equity | 26.76 | 16.11 | ||||||
| Current ratio | 1.33 | 1.45 | 1.56 | 1.54 | 1.60 | 1.82 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001628280-26-011125; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001628280-26-011125; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001628280-26-011125; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011125; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011125; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011125; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: GrossProfit. Source concepts: us-gaap:GrossProfit.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011125; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011125; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011125; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011125; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: PaymentsOfDividends. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividends.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011125; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011125; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011125; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011125; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011125; filed 2026-02-24. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-04. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001821825.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | 0.92 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 0.89 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 0.69 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 1,608,000,000 | 242,000,000 | 0.95 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 1,519,000,000 | 58,000,000 | 0.23 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 1,598,000,000 | 546,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 1,622,000,000 | 201,000,000 | 0.78 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 1,607,000,000 | 195,000,000 | 0.75 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 1,582,000,000 | 359,000,000 | 1.38 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 1,592,000,000 | 109,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 1,513,000,000 | 87,000,000 | 0.33 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 1,594,000,000 | 145,000,000 | 0.56 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 1,602,000,000 | 160,000,000 | 0.61 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 1,507,000,000 | -205,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 1,460,000,000 | 146,000,000 | 0.55 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-029532; filed 2026-05-04. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-029532; filed 2026-05-04. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-029532; filed 2026-05-04. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001628280-26-029532.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Some statements and disclosures in this document are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts and can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “believe,” “will,” “expect,” “project,” “potential,” “possible,” “probable,” “outcome,” “likely,” “could,” “should,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “would,” “future,” “target,” “seek,” “continue,” and other words of similar meaning, or negative variations of any of the foregoing. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our plans and expectations, including actual results, to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may affect our future results include, but are not limited to, uncertainties as to the timing of the completion of the pending merger (the “merger”) with Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (together with its subsidiaries and/or associated companies, “Sun Pharma”); the risk that the merger may not be completed on the anticipated terms in a timely manner or at all; the failure to satisfy any of the conditions to the consummation of the merger, including receiving, on a timely basis or otherwise, the minimum vote required by our stockholders to approve the merger; the possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals for Organon will be made; the possibility that any or all of the various conditions to the consummation of the merger may not be satisfied or waived, including the failure to receive any required regulatory approvals from any applicable governmental entities (or any conditions, limitations or restrictions placed on such approvals); the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreement, including in circumstances which would require us to pay a termination fee; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the merger on our ability to retain and hire key personnel, our ability to maintain relationships with our customers, suppliers and others with whom we do business, or our operating results and business generally; risks related to diverting management’s attention from our ongoing business operations; the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the merger may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; certain restrictions during the pendency of the merger that may impact our ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; the risk that any announcements relating to the merger could have adverse effects on the market price of our common stock, including if the merger is not consummated; risks that the benefits of the merger are not realized when and as expected; expanded brand and class competition in the markets in which we operate; trade protection measures and import or export licensing requirements, including the direct and indirect impacts of tariffs (including pharmaceutical sector tariffs), trade sanctions or similar restrictions by the United States or other governments; changes in U.S. and foreign federal, state and local governmental funding allocations including the timing and amounts allocated to our customers and business partners; the impact of global business, political and macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, interest rate fluctuations, recessionary pressures, foreign currency exchange rates, volatile market conditions, and instability in the global banking system; global events, such as regional conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere; our ability to remediate the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and the related costs and management resources, as well as our ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures in the future; our ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with our financial plans, the cost of such capital, and overall condition of the capital and credit markets; actions that may be taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect either our access to or terms of financing or our financial condition and liquidity; our ability to meet our revenue and growth expectations and outlook; our ability to hire and/or retain members of our senior management (including a permanent CEO) and other key employees; the failure of any supplier to provide substances, materials, or services as agreed, or otherwise meet their obligations to us; the increased cost of supply, manufacturing, packaging, and operations; difficulties developing and sustaining relationships with commercial counterparties; competition from generic products as our products lose patent protection; any failure by us to retain market exclusivity for Nexplanon or to obtain an additional period of exclusivity in the United States for Nexplanon subsequent to the expiration of the rod patents in 2027; the success of our efforts to adapt our business and sales strategies to address the changing market and regulatory landscape in order to achieve our business objectives and remain competitive; restructurings or other disruptions at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), the SEC and other U.S. and comparable foreign government agencies; difficulties in connection with future strategic transactions, including as a result of the impact of macroeconomic or geopolitical developments; pricing pressures globally, including rules and practices of managed care groups, judicial decisions and governmental laws and regulations related to or affecting Medicare, Medicaid and healthcare reform, pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement, access to our products, international reference pricing, including Most-Favored-Nation drug pricing, and other pricing-related initiatives and policy efforts; the impact of higher selling and promotional costs; changes in government laws and regulations in the United States and other jurisdictions, including laws and regulations governing the research, development, approval, clearance, manufacturing, supply, distribution, and/or marketing of our products and related intellectual property, environmental regulations, and the enforcement thereof affecting our business; efficacy, safety or other quality concerns with respect to our marketed products, whether or not scientifically justified, leading to product recalls, withdrawals, labeling changes, or declining sales; delays or failures to demonstrate adequate efficacy and safety of our product candidates in pre-clinical and clinical trials, which may prevent or delay the development, approval, clearance, or commercialization of our product candidates; reduced research and development investment and increased
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reliance on fewer research and development programs for new products to generate future revenue and replace existing products that come to the end of their market life cycle; future actions of third-parties, including significant changes in customer relationships or changes in the behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of healthcare products and services, including delaying medical procedures, rationing prescription medications, reducing the frequency of physician visits and forgoing healthcare insurance coverage; legal factors, such as product liability claims, stockholder litigation, governmental investigations, and patent disputes; lost market opportunity resulting from delays and uncertainties in clinical trials and the approval or clearance process of the FDA and other regulatory authorities; the failure by us or our third party collaborators and/or their suppliers to fulfill our or their regulatory or quality obligations, which could lead to a delay in regulatory approval or commercial marketing of our products; cyberattacks on, or other failures, accidents, or security breaches of, our or third-party providers’ information technology systems, which could disrupt our operations and those of third parties upon which we rely; increased focus on privacy issues in countries around the world, including the United States, the European Union, and China, and a more difficult legislative and regulatory landscape for privacy and data protection that continues to evolve with the potential to directly affect our business, including recently enacted laws in a majority of states in the United States requiring security breach notification; changes in tax laws including changes related to the taxation of foreign earnings; the impact of any future pandemic, epidemic, or similar public health threat on our business, operations and financial performance; changes in accounting pronouncements promulgated by standard-setting or regulatory bodies, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC, that are adverse to us; volatility of commodity prices, fuel, and shipping rates that impact the costs and/or ability to supply our products; and other factors discussed in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings, including those discussed in the “Business,” “Risk Factors,” “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of those reports.
General
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to assist the reader in understanding our financial condition and results of operations. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report and with our audited financial statements, including the accompanying notes, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. Operating results discussed herein are not necessarily indicative of the results of any future period.
We are a global healthcare company with a primary focus on improving the health of women throughout their lives. We develop and deliver innovative health solutions through a portfolio of prescription therapies within our women’s health and general medicines portfolios. We have a portfolio of more than 70 medicines and products across a range of therapeutic areas. We sell these products through various channels including drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies and managed healthcare providers such as health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and other institutions. We own and operate six manufacturing facilities, which are located in Belgium, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Unless otherwise indicated, trademarks appearing in italics throughout this document are trademarks of, or are used under license by, our group of companies.
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Recent Developments
Other Matters
On April 26, 2026, our Board of Directors appointed Joseph Morrissey our Interim CEO, to such role on a permanent basis.
Business Development
Sebela Pharmaceuticals (“Sebela”)
On February 19, 2026, we entered into an exclusive license agreement with Sebela for the global rights to Miudella, a hormone-free copper intrauterine device (“IUD”) that was approved by the FDA on February 24, 2025. Under the terms of the agreement, we will pay $27.5 million at closing, with potential sales-based milestone payments of up to $505 million, as well as tiered double-digit royalties based on net sales. The transaction closing is subject to regulatory approvals and FDA approval of
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We make statements in this 2025 Form 10-K, and we may from time to time make other written reports and oral statements, regarding our outlook or expectations for financial, business or strategic matters regarding or affecting us that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, all of which are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties which change over time and may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. One can identify these forward-looking statements by their use of words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “will,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “believes,” “would,” “potentially,” “intends,” “seeks,” “future,” “might,” “likely,” “target,” “predict,” “continue,” “should,” and other words of similar meaning, or negative variations of any of the foregoing. One can also identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our growth and acquisition strategies, financial results, product development, product approvals, product potential and development programs. One must carefully consider any such statement and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. These factors may be based on inaccurate assumptions and are subject to a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results
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may vary materially. The factors described in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of this 2025 Form 10-K or otherwise described in our filings with the SEC provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:
•the impact of tariffs and other trade restrictions or domestic sourcing requirements;
•the impact of our substantial levels of indebtedness;
•our ability to execute on our capital allocation priorities and to deleverage our business;
•expanded brand and class competition in the markets in which we operate;
•difficulties with performance of third parties we rely on for our business growth;
•the failure of any supplier to provide substances, materials, or services as agreed, or otherwise meet their obligations to us;
•the increased cost of supply, manufacturing, packaging, and operations;
•difficulties developing and sustaining relationships with commercial counterparties;
•competition from generic products as our products lose patent protection;
•any failure by us to retain market exclusivity for Nexplanon or to obtain an additional period of exclusivity in the United States for Nexplanon subsequent to the expiration of the rod patents in 2027;
•the continued impact of the September 2024 LOE for Atozet;
•the success of our efforts to adopt our business and sales strategies to address the changing market and regulatory landscape in order to achieve our business objectives and remain competitive;
•restructuring or other disruptions at the FDA, the SEC and other U.S. and comparable foreign government agencies;
•difficulties and uncertainties inherent in the implementation of our acquisition strategy or failure to recognize the benefits of such acquisitions;
•pricing pressures globally, including rules and practices of managed care groups, judicial decisions and governmental laws and regulations related to or affecting Medicare, Medicaid and healthcare reform, pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement, access to our products, international reference pricing, including MFN drug pricing, and other pricing related initiatives and policy efforts;
•the impact of higher selling and promotional costs;
•changes in government laws and regulations in the United States and other jurisdictions, including laws and regulations governing the research, development, approval, clearance, manufacturing, supply, distribution, and/or marketing of our products and related intellectual property, environmental regulations, and the enforcement thereof affecting our business;
•our inability to remediate the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting;
•efficacy, safety or other quality concerns with respect to our marketed products, whether or not scientifically justified, leading to product recalls, withdrawals, labeling changes or declining sales;
•delays or failures to demonstrate adequate efficacy and safety of our product candidates in pre-clinical and clinical trials, which may prevent or delay the development, approval, clearance, or commercialization of our product candidates;
•reduced research and development investment and increased reliance on fewer research and development programs for new products to generate future revenue and replace existing products that come to the end of their market life cycle;
•future actions of third-parties, including significant changes in customer relationships or changes in the behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of healthcare products and services, including delaying medical procedures, rationing prescription medications, reducing the frequency of physician visits and forgoing healthcare insurance coverage;
•legal factors, including product liability claims, antitrust litigation and governmental investigations, including tax disputes, environmental claims and patent disputes with branded and generic competitors, any of which could preclude commercialization of products or negatively affect the profitability of existing products;
•lost market opportunity resulting from delays and uncertainties in clinical trials and the approval or clearance process of the FDA and other regulatory authorities;
•the failure by us or our third party collaborators and/or their suppliers to fulfill our or their regulatory or quality obligations, which could lead to a delay in regulatory approval or commercial marketing of our products;
•cyberattacks on, or other failures, accidents, or security breaches of, our or third-party providers’ information technology systems, which could disrupt our operations and those of third parties upon which we rely;
•increased focus on privacy issues in countries around the world, including the United States, the EU, and China, and a more difficult legislative and regulatory landscape for privacy and data protection that continues to evolve with the potential to directly affect our business, including recently enacted laws in a majority of states in the United States requiring security breach notification;
•changes in tax laws including changes related to the taxation of foreign earnings;
•the impact of any future pandemic, epidemic, or similar public health threat on our business, operations and financial performance;
•our ability to hire and retain a permanent CEO, other members of our senior management, or other key employees;
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•changes in accounting pronouncements promulgated by standard-setting or regulatory bodies, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC, that are adverse to us;
•volatility of commodity prices, fuel, and shipping rates that impact the costs and/or ability to supply our products;
•uncertainties surrounding matters relating to the Audit Committee investigation and any related investigations, inquiries, claims, proceedings or actions, as described elsewhere in this 2025 Form 10-K; and
•economic factors over which we have no control, including changes in inflation, interest rates, recessionary pressures, and foreign currency exchange rates.
It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, one should not consider the above list or any other such list to be a complete statement of all potential risks or uncertainties. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as otherwise may be required by law.
General
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to assist the reader in understanding our financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 and should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to enhance the understanding of our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Additionally, this section should be read in connection with Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2025 (the “Original 2024 Form 10-K”), as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, filed on November 10, 2025 (“Amendment No. 1” and, together with the Original 2024 Form 10-K, the “Prior Form 10-K”), which are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Prior Form 10-K includes a discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
We are a global healthcare company with a primary focus on improving the health of women throughout their lives. We develop and deliver innovative health solutions through a portfolio of prescription therapies and medical devices within our women’s health and general medicines portfolios. We have a portfolio of more than 70 medicines and products across a range of therapeutic areas. We sell these products through various channels including drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies and managed healthcare providers such as health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and other institutions. We operate six manufacturing facilities around the world.
Key Trends Affecting Our Results of Operations
•Generic Competition: Except for Emgality and Vtama, our established brands products are beyond market exclusivity. Although these products continue to represent a valuable opportunity to generate significant operating profit relative to low promotional and development expenses, they are subject to competition from generic versions of these products. For instance, we have been negatively impacted since late 2024 from the LOE for Atozet in France, Spain and Japan, and we expect these impacts to continue in 2026 driven by increased competition and further price erosion. In addition, Nexplanon is the largest brand we commercialize that continues to have market exclusivity; however, in the United States, patents claiming key aspects of the Nexplanon applicator will expire in 2030 and patents for the Nexplanon rod will expire in late 2027. Outside of the United States, we have lost exclusivity in Nexplanon in certain markets beginning in 2025 and will continue to lose market exclusivity in other geographies in the near future. See Note 18 “Contingencies—Other Matters” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this 2025 Form 10-K.
•Historical Shift Towards Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives: Daily contraceptive pills are by far the largest contraception market segment, with almost half of all women choosing a hormonal contraceptive electing this particular method. However, the long-acting reversible contraceptives market, including Nexplanon, is expected to continue to be an important and large segment of the overall contraceptive market. Despite an increasingly diverse market of contraception methods (including the over-the-counter birth control pill), payors, providers, and patients continue to believe in the benefits of long-acting and highly effective options such as Nexplanon. Nexplanon is available for prescription under controlled distribution once the healthcare provider has completed a clinical training program (“CTP”) demonstrating safe and effective insertion and removal of Nexplanon. During the recent label update in January 2026, the FDA expanded the duration of use for Nexplanon from three years to five years, and also enhanced the CTP program by adding a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program, which contains additional proactive measures to certify healthcare providers in the proper insertion and removal of Nexplanon.
•Increased Access to Fertility Solutions: With the global trend toward declining birthrates, governments and payors are implementing favorable policies across major markets that, in turn, improve access to fertility and maternal care.
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•Growing Acceptance of Biosimilars: The market for biologics continues to experience strong growth trends. Given the high cost of many of these biologics treatments, biosimilars are a potentially more affordable alternative and represent a significant opportunity for patients, providers, and payors once a biologics product loses patent protection. Moreover, a significant number of biologics are expected to lose exclusivity over the next decade, representing a large opportunity for more biosimilar approvals.
•Increased Competitive Pressures: The markets in which we conduct our business and the pharmaceutical industry in general are highly competitive and highly regulated. Our competitors include other worldwide research-based pharmaceutical companies, smaller research companies with more limited therapeutic focus and generic drug manufacturers.
•Other Macroeconomic Considerations: Geopolitical developments including changes to the political orientation of the governments in key countries, global trade issues such as tariffs imposed by or on the United States, shifting U.S. federal and state government policies, policies hindering market access, and worsening macroeconomic conditions could impact our business and results of operations and may stress our working capital resources. While tariffs have not, to date, had a material impact on our business, future tariff actions could potentially have a significant effect on our supply chain and operating costs. Regulatory agency developments, including disruptions at the FDA and other agencies, could increase the time needed for review and approval of new drugs and medical devices, potentially impacting our ability to develop new drugs, delaying our product launches and impacting our business operations. Additionally, proposed cuts to Medicaid and changes in federal funding policies could reduce access to healthcare services for low-income individuals. International reference pricing frameworks, including MFN mandates, may further constrain our pricing flexibility and commercial strategy. Voluntary price concessions in certain European markets and increased rebate negotiations across the EU have introduced additional pressure on net pricing and margins. These developments may influence our commercial strategy, constrain pricing flexibility and delay product launches. For additional information, please refer to Item 1A — Risk Factors.
Recent Developments
Business Development
Laborie Medical Technologies Corporation (“Laborie”)
In January 2026, we divested the Jada System to Laborie for an aggregate payment of up to $465 million, comprised of consideration of $440 million, subject to certain closing adjustments, plus potential earnout payments of up to $25 million based on the achievement of certain 2026 net sales targets. Approximately 100 employees transferred to Laborie as part of this transaction.
Biogen Inc. (“Biogen”)
In March 2025, we acquired from Biogen the regulatory and commercial rights in the United States for Tofidence, a biosimilar to Actemra2 (tocilizumab), for intravenous infusion. Tofidence, launched in the U.S. market in May 2024, is indicated in certain patients for the treatment of moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and COVID-19. Under the terms of the agreement with Biogen, we paid an upfront payment of $51 million in July 2025, and are obligated to pay tiered royalty payments based on net sales and tiered annual net sales milestone payments of up to $45 million from a previous in-license arrangement with Bio-Thera Solutions Ltd., the product developer for Tofidence. In the first quarter of 2025, we recognized an intangible asset of $51 million, related to the upfront payment to Biogen, which will be amortized over 10 years.
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Operating Results
Sales Overview
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 1,604 | $ | 1,572 | $ | 1,478 | 2 | % | 2 | % | 6 | % | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| International | 4,612 | 4,831 | 4,785 | (5) | (5) | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 6,216 | $ | 6,403 | $ | 6,263 | (3) | % | (3) | % | 2 | % | 3 | % |
Worldwide sales were $6.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, a decrease of 3%, compared to 2024. Worldwide sales during the year ended December 31, 2025 were positively impacted by approximately $36 million, or approximately 1%, due to favorable foreign exchange rates.
Excluding the impact of foreign exchange rates, sales decreases for the year ended December 31, 2025, primarily reflect lower sales of:
•Atozet, primarily due to LOE in France, Spain and Japan, partially offset by increased demand in Asia Pacific, Latin America and the product launch in China;
•Singulair, primarily attributable to price reductions in China and Japan, as well as lower demand outside of the United States resulting from increased competition and less favorable medical guidelines; and
•Dulera, primarily due to the loss of a customer contract in the first part of the year combined with increased discount rate pressure in the United States.
This decrease in the above sales was offset by sales increases for the year ended December 31, 2025 in:
•Vtama, as a result of our acquisition of Dermavant in the fourth quarter of 2024, launch of the atopic dermatitis indication for adults and children two years of age and older in the United States and launch of the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults in Canada in the third quarter of 2025;
•Hadlima, due to sales ramp up since its launch in July 2023 in the United States and a modest increase in demand in Canada and other international markets;
•Emgality, as a result of our acquisition of the distribution and promotion rights from Lilly in 2024 in certain markets outside of the United States; and
•Follistim, due to increased demand in the United States, partially offset by a decrease in demand in China. Comparability of sales for the year ended December 31, 2025, is impacted by a one-time buy-in that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2023. This buy-in, a consequence of exiting our interim operating model agreement with Merck, resulted in a reduction of sales in the first half of 2024.
LOE negatively impacted sales of certain of our products by approximately $197 million during the year ended December 31, 2025, based on the decrease in sales volume compared to 2024. This was primarily driven by the LOE of Atozet in France, Spain and Japan and Rosuzet in Japan. VBP in China had an immaterial impact on our sales during the year ended December 31, 2025. However, we expect VBP to continue to negatively impact our general medicines product portfolio for the next several quarters.
Due to changing market conditions, new and evolving U.S. and international tariffs, U.S. tax law changes and regulatory uncertainty that impact our business, as well as the pharmaceutical industry, we have been and will continue to adapt our business and sales strategies to address this changing landscape in order to achieve our business objectives and remain competitive. Such strategies may include implementing or continuing to assess product discount programs and wholesaler inventory levels under the relevant agreements or waivers of their terms for certain key products.
Our operations include a portfolio of products. Highlights of the sales of our products for the year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 are provided below. See Note 5 “Product and Geographic Information” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on sales of our products.
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Women’s Health
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nexplanon/Implanon NXT | $ | 921 | $ | 963 | $ | 830 | (4) | % | (4) | % | 16 | % | 17 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| NuvaRing | 91 | 115 | 176 | (21) | (23) | (35) | (33) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marvelon/Mercilon | 127 | 134 | 134 | (5) | (5) | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Follistim AQ | 264 | 237 | 262 | 11 | 11 | (10) | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jada | 74 | 61 | 43 | 22 | 22 | 40 | 40 |
Contraception
Worldwide sales of Nexplanon, a single-rod subdermal contraceptive implant, declined 4% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, primarily due to decreased demand related to policy related access restrictions and lower physician demand, coupled with increased discount rates in the United States, partially offset by increased demand in Brazil and our institutional business. Nexplanon sales for the year ended December 31, 2024, included an estimated $15 million of sales resulting from the identified sales practices for U.S. wholesalers described in Item 1. Business—Recent Developments. The impact was estimated using average daily sales, inventory levels at the wholesaler and days on hand at the wholesaler. The Company ceased the identified sales practices for U.S. wholesalers, which adversely impacted the full year 2025 sales by $15 million, as inventory levels at the wholesalers were reduced the normalized levels. In January 2026, the FDA approved a supplemental New Drug Application for Nexplanon which extends the duration of use for up to five years, an extension of the previous three-year indication.
Worldwide sales of NuvaRing, a vaginal contraceptive product, declined 21% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, due to the loss of a customer contract in 2024 and ongoing generic competition, partially offset by favorable discount rates in the United States associated with a new agreement. We expect a continued decline in NuvaRing sales as a result of generic competition.
Worldwide sales of Marvelon and Mercilon, combined oral hormonal daily contraceptive pills not approved or marketed in the United States, but available in certain countries outside the United States, declined 5% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, as a result of decreased demand in the Middle East, partially offset by increased demand in China and increased demand and favorable pricing in Asia Pacific.
Fertility
Worldwide sales of Follistim AQ, a fertility treatment, increased 11% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, due to increased demand in the United States, partially offset by a decrease in demand in China. Comparability of sales for the year ended December 31, 2025, is impacted by a one-time buy-in that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2023. This buy-in, a consequence of exiting our interim operating model agreement with Merck, resulted in a reduction of sales in the first half of 2024.
Other Women’s Health
Worldwide sales of Jada, a device intended to provide control and treatment of abnormal postpartum uterine bleeding or hemorrhage when conservative management is warranted, increased 22% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024. The sales increase is due to continued uptake in the United States following the Jada launch in early 2022. In January 2026, we completed the sale of the Jada System to Laborie.
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General Medicines
Biosimilars
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Renflexis | $ | 251 | $ | 274 | $ | 278 | (8) | % | (8) | % | (1) | % | (1) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Hadlima | 228 | 142 | 44 | 60 | 61 | 224 | 225 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ontruzant | 99 | 141 | 155 | (30) | (30) | (9) | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brenzys | 80 | 77 | 73 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Renflexis is a biosimilar to Remicade for the treatment of certain autoimmune conditions. Sales declined 8% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, primarily due to competitive pressure and unfavorable discount rates in the United States, partially offset by increased demand in Canada.
Hadlima is a biosimilar to Humira for the treatment of certain autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions. Sales increased 60% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, due to sales ramp up since its launch in July 2023 in the United States and a modest increase in demand in Canada and Puerto Rico. We have commercialization rights to Hadlima in countries outside of the European Union, South Korea, China, Turkey, and Russia. Hadlima is currently approved in the United States, Australia, Canada and Israel.
Ontruzant is a biosimilar to Herceptin for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer and HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Sales for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, declined 30%, due to competitive pressure in the United States, unfavorable pricing and lower tendered volume from Brazil’s Ministry of Health when compared with 2024. We have commercialization rights to Ontruzant in all countries except in South Korea and China.
Brenzys is a biosimilar to Enbrel for the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases. Sales for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, increased 4%, as a result of the timing of tenders in Brazil and increased demand in Asia Pacific. We have commercialization rights to Brenzys in countries outside of the United States, Europe, South Korea, China, and Japan.
Established Brands
Cardiovascular
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Atozet | $ | 324 | $ | 473 | $ | 519 | (31) | % | (32) | % | (9) | % | (8) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Zetia/Vytorin | 442 | 425 | 451 | 4 | 3 | (6) | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cozaar/Hyzaar | 219 | 243 | 281 | (10) | (10) | (14) | (11) |
Sales of Atozet, a medicine for lowering LDL cholesterol, declined 31% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, primarily due to LOE in France, Spain and Japan, partially offset by increased demand in Asia Pacific, Latin America and the product launch in China.
Combined global sales of Zetia and Vytorin, medicines for lowering LDL cholesterol, increased 4% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, primarily driven by increased demand in China, partially offset by the decrease in demand and pricing pressure in various international markets.
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Combined global sales of Cozaar and Hyzaar, medicines for the treatment of hypertension, declined 10% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, driven by decreased hospital demand in China and decreased demand in Japan.
Respiratory
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Singulair | $ | 252 | $ | 359 | $ | 404 | (30) | % | (30) | % | (11) | % | (8) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Nasonex | 262 | 276 | 266 | (5) | (7) | 4 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dulera | 153 | 203 | 194 | (25) | (24) | 5 | 5 |
Worldwide sales of Singulair, a once-a-day oral medicine for the chronic treatment of asthma and for the relief of symptoms of allergic rhinitis, declined 30% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024. This decline was primarily attributable to price reductions in China and Japan, as well as lower demand outside of the United States resulting from increased competition and less favorable medical guidelines.
Global sales of Nasonex, an inhaled nasal corticosteroid for the treatment of nasal allergy symptoms, declined 5% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, due to decreased demand and an increase in competitive pressure in various international markets.
Global sales of Dulera, which is also marketed as Zenhale in certain markets outside of the United States, a combination medicine for the treatment of asthma, declined 25% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, primarily due to the loss of a customer contract in the first part of the year combined with increased discount rate pressure in the United States.
Non-Opioid Pain, Bone and Dermatology
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arcoxia | $ | 265 | $ | 270 | $ | 257 | (2) | % | (4) | % | 5 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Vtama | 128 | 12 | — | * | * | * | * |
* Calculation not meaningful.
Sales of Arcoxia, a medicine for the treatment of arthritis and pain, declined 2% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, primarily due to decreased demand in Latin America and Asia Pacific, partially offset by increased demand in Russia.
Sales of Vtama, a cream for the topical treatment of mild, moderate, and severe plaque psoriasis in adults and atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, in adults and children two years of age and older, were $128 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, as a result of our acquisition of Dermavant in the fourth quarter of 2024, launch of the atopic dermatitis indication for adults and children two years of age and older in the United States and launch of the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults in Canada in the third quarter of 2025. We anticipate launching Vtama in certain international markets in 2026 and beyond.
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Other
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Emgality | $ | 174 | $ | 107 | $ | — | 63 | % | 58 | % | * | * |
* Calculation not meaningful.
Sales of Emgality, a medicine for the preventive treatment of migraine, increased 63% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, as a result of our acquisition of the distribution and promotion rights from Lilly in 2024 in certain markets outside of the United States.
Gross Profit, Expenses and Other
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs. 2024 | 2024 vs. 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 2,903 | $ | 2,688 | $ | 2,515 | 8 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 3,313 | 3,715 | 3,748 | (11) | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,721 | 1,760 | 1,893 | (2) | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 366 | 469 | 528 | (22) | (11) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Acquired in-process research and development and milestones | 6 | 81 | 8 | (93) | * | ||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill impairment | 301 | — | — | * | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs | 95 | 31 | 62 | * | (50) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 504 | 520 | 527 | (3) | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange losses | 14 | 26 | 42 | (46) | (38) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (119) | 21 | 15 | * | 40 |
* Calculation not meaningful.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales increased 8% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024. Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2025, includes amortization associated with the inventory fair value adjustment related to the Dermavant acquisition of $49 million, an impairment charge related to a currently marketed women’s health product of $9 million, estimated unavoidable losses associated with a long-term vendor supply contract of $7 million and amortization of intangible assets of $205 million. Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2024 includes amortization of intangible assets of $145 million. In addition, the year ended December 31, 2025 was impacted by increased costs to optimize our manufacturing and supply network. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity” for further information. Separation costs associated with manufacturing-related headcount reductions during 2025 have been incurred and are reflected in Restructuring costs.
Gross Profit
Gross profit decreased 11% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, due to increased costs to optimize our manufacturing and supply network, the impact of unfavorable pricing, volume and product mix, partially offset by foreign exchange.
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Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 2% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, due to lower costs related to the prior year implementation of our Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system and lower headcount related expenses, offset by increased costs associated with the promotion of our recently acquired products and Nexplanon and an increase in reserves for legal settlements.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses decreased 22% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, primarily due to a decrease in headcount related expenses and a decrease in clinical study activity. During 2025, we discontinued the clinical development programs for investigational candidates OG-6219 and OG-7191.
Acquired In-Process Research and Development and Milestones
For the year ended December 31, 2025, we recognized $6 million in acquired in-process research and development and milestones, related to the exit of our agreement with Centergene, due to the evolving fertility landscape in China. For the year ended December 31, 2024, acquired in-process research and development and milestones of $81 million primarily represented the research and development milestones of $70 million for our agreement with Henlius and $10 million for our agreement with Cirqle, which were determined to be probable of being achieved.
Goodwill impairment
For the year ended December 31, 2025, we recognized a $301 million impairment of goodwill which represents the amount by which the carrying value of goodwill exceeded its implied fair value. The goodwill impairment resulted from the decline of the Company’s patent protected products in the U.S. in the fourth quarter for 2025 that it is expected to result in a continuing impact on the products’ future forecast. The goodwill impairment recorded reflects continued pressure on the U.S. reporting unit resulting from lower-than-expected financial performance primarily from our patent-protected products, revised forward-looking projections, adverse geopolitical development market conditions, and uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment. As a result, the U.S. reporting unit is more susceptible to future impairment than the International reporting unit. See Note 11 “Intangibles and Goodwill” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on the impairment.
Restructuring Costs
For the year ended December 31, 2025, we incurred restructuring costs of $95 million comprised primarily of headcount-related restructuring expense associated with restructuring initiatives that were aimed at driving operational efficiencies in 2025. For the year ended December 31, 2024, we incurred restructuring costs of $31 million, comprised of headcount-related restructuring expense related to the optimization of our internal operations, primarily within the research and development function.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased 3% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, and reflects lower interest rates as a result of refinancing a portion of our long-term debt in the prior year and the repurchase and cancellation of approximately $419 million of the 2031 Notes during the second and fourth quarters of 2025 combined with lower reference rates on our variable rate debt, offset by interest related to the debt acquired as part of the Dermavant acquisition and previously unamortized debt issuance fees of approximately $3 million associated with the repurchase and cancellation of approximately $419 million of the 2031 Notes.
Exchange Losses
Exchange losses decreased 46% for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to 2024, primarily due to favorable movements in certain foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar.
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Other (Income) Expense, net
Other (income) expense, net was impacted for the year ended December 31, 2025, by a $69 million pre-tax gain related to the repurchase and cancellation of approximately $419 million of the 2031 Notes and the repayment and termination of the NovaQuest Funding Agreement and the fair value adjustments and $50 million related to the accretion of the Dermavant acquisition contingent consideration, related to changes in the timing of expected commercial milestones based on updated sales forecasts. See Note 12 “Long-Term Debt, Short-Term Borrowings and Leases” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on the repurchase of the 2031 Notes and the NovaQuest Funding Agreement.
Taxes on Income
The effective income tax rates were 56.0% and (7.1)% for the year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. These effective income tax rates reflect the beneficial impact of foreign earnings, offset by the impact of U.S. inclusions under the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income regime and a valuation allowance recorded against non-deductible U.S. interest expense. The 2025 effective tax rate was driven higher by a non-deductible goodwill impairment and an investment basis difference on the sale of the Jada System, offset by the favorable impact of a tax amortization benefit. The favorable impact to the 2024 effective tax rate was driven by the reversal of a valuation allowance, the favorable closure of two non-U.S. tax audits and a return to provision adjustment for an entity in Switzerland.
The OBBBA includes significant corporate tax provisions such as modifications to interest deductibility, the option to fully expense U.S.-based research and development costs, and changes to the taxation of foreign earnings. For 2025, any impact of the OBBBA is immaterial. For 2026 and beyond, we are evaluating the impacts of the OBBBA on our U.S. cash tax liability and income tax provision.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents of $574 million. We have historically generated and expect to continue to generate positive cash flow from operations.
Working capital is defined as current assets less current liabilities and was $1.96 billion and $1.63 billion as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Working capital was positively impacted by our active cash cycle management, which includes the factoring of receivables and timing of vendor payments; milestone payments; net repayments of debt; and increased inventory associated with the acquisition of the Oss Biotech Site in July 2025.
We have accounts receivable factoring agreements with financial institutions in certain countries. Under these agreements, we have factored $217 million and $186 million of our accounts receivable as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. See Note 13 “Financial Instruments” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on our accounts receivable factoring and related agreements.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $700 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $939 million for the same period in the prior year due to lower operating income, partially offset by our active cash cycle management.
Net cash used in investing activities was $390 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to $513 million for the same period in the prior year, primarily due to decreased milestone payments and capital spending.
Net cash used in financing activities was $561 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, compared with $368 million for the same period in the prior year, primarily driven by the repurchase and cancellation of $419 million of the 2031 Notes and the payment and termination of the NovaQuest Funding Agreement, partially offset by borrowings on our Revolving Credit Facility, decreased dividend payments in the current year and no debt issuance costs compared to the prior period.
As part of our post-spinoff plan to further optimize our manufacturing and supply network, we will continue to separate our supply chain through planned exits from supply agreements with Merck through 2031. This will enable us to redefine our appropriate sourcing strategy, and move to fit-for-purpose supply chains, while focusing on delivering efficiencies. We anticipate continuing to incur costs associated with this separation, including but not limited to accelerated depreciation, exit premiums and fees, technology transfer costs, stability and qualification batch costs, one-time resourcing costs, regulatory and filing costs, capital investment, and inventory stock bridges.
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Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2025, which require material cash requirements in the future, consist of contractual milestones, purchase obligations and lease obligations.
Contractual milestones are potential payments based upon the achievement of specified milestones associated with business development transactions. Such milestone payments will only be payable in the event that our collaborative partners achieve contractually defined success-based milestones such as the advancement of the specified research and development programs or the receipt of regulatory approval for the specified compounds or products and/or we reach a sales threshold of the specified compounds or products. The timing of the payments of the contractual milestones are uncertain and the likelihood of achieving the milestones cannot be determined. As of December 31, 2025, total potential payments for contractual milestones are $2.2 billion. Potential amounts to be paid within the next twelve months are $75 million.
Purchase obligations are enforceable and legally binding obligations for purchases of goods and services which include inventory purchase commitments. As of December 31, 2025, total payments due for purchase obligations are $1.1 billion and extend through 2033. Amounts due within the next twelve months are $298 million.
Our ability to fund our operations and anticipated capital needs is reliant upon the generation of cash from operations, supplemented as necessary by periodic utilization of our revolving credit facility. Our principal uses of cash in the future will be primarily to fund our operations, working capital needs, capital expenditures, repayment of borrowings, strategic business development transactions and the payment of dividends. We believe that our financing arrangements, future cash from operations, and access to capital markets will provide adequate resources to fund our future cash flow needs. Our ability to raise new capital or refinance our debt, will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at such times.
Long-term debt consists of both fixed and variable-rate instruments. As of December 31, 2025, total payments due for debt obligations are $8.7 billion and extend through 2034. Amounts due within the next twelve months are $10 million. Approximately $3.6 billion of notes are scheduled to mature in 2028.
Lease obligations exclude reasonably certain lease renewals that have not yet been executed. As of December 31, 2025, total payments due for lease obligations are $176 million and extend through 2041. Amounts due within the next twelve months are $47 million.
During 2025, we paid cash dividends of $0.34 per share. On February 12, 2026, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.02 for each issued and outstanding share of our common stock. The dividend is payable on March 12, 2026, to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 23, 2026.
We or our affiliates may, at any time and from time to time, seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for equity or debt, in open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such transactions, if any, may be material, and will depend upon such terms and at such prices as we may determine, and will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The audited annual consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP and, accordingly, include certain amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. A discussion of accounting estimates considered critical because of the potential for a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements due to the inherent uncertainty in such estimates are disclosed below. Because of the uncertainty inherent in such estimates, actual results may differ from these estimates.
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Revenue Recognition
Our accounting policy for revenue recognition has a substantial impact on reported results and relies on certain estimates. Revenue is recognized following a five-step model: (i) identify the customer contract; (ii) identify the contract’s performance obligation; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligation; and (v) recognize revenue when or as a performance obligation is satisfied. Revenue is reduced for gross-to-net sales adjustments discussed below, all of which involve significant estimates and judgment after considering applicable laws and regulations and definitive contractual agreements with private sector and public sector benefit providers. These types of variable consideration are estimated at the time of sale generally using the expected value method, although the most likely amount method is used for prompt pay discounts. In addition, revenues are recorded net of time value of money discounts if collection of accounts receivable is expected to be in excess of one year. Estimates are assessed each period and adjusted as required to revise information or actual experience.
In the United States, revenue is reduced by sales discounts issued to customers at the point-of-sale, through an intermediary wholesaler (known as chargebacks), or in the form of rebate amounts owed based upon definitive contractual agreements or legal requirements with private sector (Managed Care) and public sector (Medicaid and Medicare Part D) customers. Additionally, sales are generally made with a limited right of return under certain conditions.
The provision for aggregate customer discounts in the United States covers chargebacks and rebates. We determine the provision for chargebacks based on expected sell-through levels by our wholesale customers to contracted customers, as well as estimated wholesaler inventory levels. The provision for rebates is based on expected patient usage, as well as inventory levels in the distribution channel to determine the contractual obligation to the benefit providers. We use historical customer segment utilization mix, sales, changes to product mix and price, inventory levels in the distribution channel, government pricing calculations and prior payment history in order to estimate the expected provision. Amounts accrued for aggregate customer discounts are evaluated on a quarterly basis through comparison of information provided by the wholesalers, health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, federal and state agencies, and other customers to the amounts accrued.
We continually monitor our provision for aggregate customer discounts. There were no material adjustments to estimates associated with the aggregate customer discount provision in 2025, 2024, or 2023.
Summarized information about changes in the aggregate customer discount accrual related to sales in the United States is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Balance January 1 | $ | 480 | $ | 504 | $ | 385 | ||||
| Provision | 3,447 | 3,024 | 2,640 | |||||||
| Payments (1) | (3,404) | (3,048) | (2,521) | |||||||
| Balance December 31 | $ | 523 | $ | 480 | $ | 504 |
(1) The year ended December 31, 2024 includes $48 million of liabilities assumed as part of the 2024 Dermavant acquisition.
Accruals for chargebacks are reflected as a direct reduction to accounts receivable and accruals for rebates as current liabilities. The accrued balances relative to these provisions included in accounts receivable and accrued and other current liabilities were $111 million and $412 million, respectively, at December 31, 2025, and $100 million and $380 million, respectively, at December 31, 2024.
Outside of the United States, variable consideration in the form of discounts and rebates is a combination of commercially-driven discounts in highly competitive product classes, discounts required to gain or maintain reimbursement, or legislatively mandated rebates. In certain European countries, legislatively mandated rebates are calculated based on an estimate of the government’s total unbudgeted spending and our specific payback obligation. Rebates may also be required based on specific product sales thresholds. We apply an estimated factor against our actual invoiced sales to represent the expected level of future discount or rebate obligations associated with the sale.
We maintain a returns policy that allows our customers in certain countries to return product within a specified period prior to and subsequent to the expiration date (generally, three to six months before and 12 months after product expiration). The estimate of the provision for returns is based upon historical experience with actual returns. Additionally, we consider factors such as levels of inventory in the distribution channel, product dating and expiration period, whether products have been
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discontinued, entrance in the market of generic competition, changes in formularies or launch of over-the-counter products, among others.
See Note 2 “Summary of Accounting Policies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2025 Form 10-K for additional details on our revenue recognition policy.
Contingencies and Environmental Liabilities
We are involved in various claims and legal proceedings of a nature considered normal to our business, including product liability, intellectual property, and commercial litigation, as well as certain additional matters including governmental and environmental matters. See Note 18 “Contingencies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2025 Form 10-K. We record accruals for contingencies when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
Legal defense costs expected to be incurred in connection with a loss contingency are accrued when probable and reasonably estimable.
We believe that there are no compliance issues associated with applicable environmental laws and regulations that would have a material adverse effect on us. Expenditures for remediation and environmental liabilities were $2 million in 2025, and are estimated at $14 million in the aggregate for the years 2026 through 2030. Liabilities for all environmental matters that are probable and reasonably estimable have been accrued and totaled $16 million and $16 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. These liabilities are undiscounted, do not consider potential recoveries from other parties and will be paid out over the periods of remediation for the applicable sites, which are expected to occur primarily over the next 12 years. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these matters, or the ultimate costs of remediation, we do not believe that any reasonably possible expenditures that may be incurred in excess of the liabilities accrued should exceed $26 million in the aggregate. We also do not believe that these expenditures should result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity for any year.
Impairments of Long-Lived Assets, Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Assets
We assess changes in economic, regulatory and legal conditions and make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows in evaluating the value of our property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets. The judgments made in evaluating impairment of long-lived intangibles, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles such as in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) can materially affect our results of operations.
We periodically evaluate whether current facts or circumstances indicate that the carrying values of our long-lived assets to be held and used may not be recoverable. If such circumstances are determined to exist, an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows of these assets, or appropriate asset groupings, is compared to the carrying value to determine whether an impairment exists. If the asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured based on the difference between the asset’s fair value and its carrying value. If quoted market prices are not available, we estimate fair value using a discounted value of estimated future cash flows approach.
Long-lived intangibles are initially recorded at fair value, assigned an estimated useful life, and amortized primarily on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. When events or circumstances warrant a review, we will assess recoverability from future operations using pretax undiscounted cash flows derived from the lowest appropriate asset groupings. Potential risks leading to impairment could include LOE occurring earlier than expected, competition, pricing reductions, and other macroeconomic changes. Impairments are recognized in operating results to the extent that the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, which is determined based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows. We recorded an impairment charge related to a currently marketed women’s health product of $9 million for the year ended December 31, 2025. We did not have impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. See Note 11 “Intangibles and Goodwill” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2025 Form 10-K for additional details on intangibles.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are evaluated for impairment each year in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if impairment indicators exist, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that fair value is less than carrying value.
Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. Some of the factors considered in the assessment include general macroeconomic conditions, conditions specific to the industry and
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market, cost factors which could have a significant effect on earnings or cash flows, and overall financial performance. If we conclude it is more likely than not that fair value is less than carrying value, a quantitative fair value test is performed. If carrying value is greater than fair value, a goodwill impairment charge will be recorded for the difference (up to the carrying value of goodwill).
Our quantitative goodwill impairment analysis relies on projected cash flows and market assumptions. Key assumptions used in projected cash flows include projected revenue growth rates, operating margins, terminal growth rates, and discount rates. These assumptions require significant judgment and are based on our best estimates of future economic and market conditions. A significant decline in forecasted performance, whether due to external economic factors or internal operational challenges, could result in the fair value of either the U.S. or International reporting unit falling below its carrying amount. In such cases, we would be required to recognize a non-cash impairment charge, which could materially impact our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, we may be required to record impairment charges on goodwill related to a reporting unit if adverse macroeconomic or geopolitical developments materially affect our business outlook. These developments may include, but are not limited to, the implementation of tariffs, changes in trade policies, inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, or regulatory changes that reduce forecasts or increase operating costs.
Indefinite-lived intangibles acquired in conjunction with the acquisition of a business are initially recorded at fair value. We evaluate the indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than its carrying amount. Some of the factors and indicators considered in the assessment include regulatory and status of clinical testing, commercial and competitive landscape, legal and financial considerations for the indefinite-lived intangibles. If we conclude it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test is performed. If carrying value is greater than fair value, an impairment charge will be recorded for the difference. We completed the annual impairment test as in the fourth quarter of 2025 and concluded that there was no impairment to indefinite-lived intangibles.
Taxes on Income
Deferred taxes are recognized for the future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting based on enacted tax laws and rates. We establish valuation allowances for our deferred tax assets when the amount of expected future income is not likely to support the use of the deduction or credit. We evaluate tax positions to determine whether the benefits of tax positions are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit based on the technical merits of the tax position. For tax positions that are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, we recognize the largest amount of the benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement in the Consolidated Financial Statements. For tax positions that are not more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, we do not recognize any portion of the benefit in the Consolidated Financial Statements. We recognize interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of Taxes on Income in the consolidated statement of income.
Inventory Valuation
Inventories consist of currently marketed products and are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventories are assessed regularly for impairment and valuation reserves are established when necessary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, product obsolescence and changes in estimates of future product demand and expiry. The determination of events and the assumptions utilized in our quantification of valuation reserves may require judgment. No material adjustments have been required to our inventory reserve estimates for the periods presented. Adverse changes in assumptions utilized in our inventory reserve calculations could result in an increase to our inventory valuation reserves and higher cost of sales.
Acquisitions
Business combinations are evaluated in order to determine whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. We make certain judgments, which include assessment of the inputs, processes, and outputs associated with the acquired set of activities. If we determine that substantially all of the fair value of gross assets included in a transaction is concentrated in a single asset (or a group of similar assets), we account for the transaction as an asset acquisition. In an asset acquisition, IPR&D with no alternative future use is charged to expense and contingent consideration is not recognized at the acquisition date. Product development milestones are recognized upon achievement and sales-based milestones are recognized when the milestone is deemed probable of being achieved. No goodwill is recorded in an asset acquisition.
To be considered a business, the assets in a transaction need to include an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. Businesses acquired are consolidated upon obtaining control. The fair
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value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recognized at the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies are generally recognized at fair value. If fair value cannot be determined, the asset or liability is recognized if probable and reasonably estimable; if these criteria are not met, no asset or liability is recognized. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recognized as goodwill. Business acquisition costs are expensed when incurred.
The fair values of identifiable intangible assets related to currently marketed products are primarily determined by using an income approach through which fair value is estimated based on each asset’s discounted projected net cash flows. Our estimates of market participant net cash flows consider historical and projected pricing, margins and expense levels; the performance of competing products and the current and expected competition environment where applicable; relevant industry and product growth drivers and factors; product life cycles; the ability to obtain additional marketing and regulatory approvals; the ability to manufacture and commercialize the products; and the life of each asset’s underlying patent and related patent term extension, if any. The net cash flows are then discounted to present value utilizing an appropriate discount rate.
The fair values of identifiable intangible assets related to IPR&D are also determined using an income approach, through which fair value is estimated based on each asset’s probability-adjusted future net cash flows, which reflect the different stages of development of each product and the associated probability of successful completion. The net cash flows are then discounted to present value using an appropriate discount rate. Amounts allocated to acquired IPR&D are capitalized and accounted for as indefinite-lived intangible assets, subject to impairment testing until completion or abandonment of the projects. Upon successful completion of each IPR&D project, we will make a determination as to the then-useful life of the intangible asset, generally determined by the period in which the substantial majority of the cash flows are expected to be generated and begin amortization.
Certain of our business combinations involve the potential for future payment of consideration that is contingent upon the achievement of performance milestones, including product development milestones and royalty payments on future product sales. The fair value of contingent consideration liabilities is determined at the acquisition date using unobservable inputs. These inputs include the estimated amount and timing of projected cash flows, the probability of success (achievement of the contingent event) and the risk-adjusted discount rate used to present value the probability-weighted cash flows. Subsequent to the acquisition date, at each reporting period until the contingency is resolved, the contingent consideration liability is remeasured at current fair value with changes (either expense or income) recorded in earnings in Other expense, net. Changes in any of the inputs may result in a significantly different fair value adjustment.
Pension
Our pension plans are calculated using actuarial assumptions including a discount rate for plan benefit obligations and an expected rate of return on plan assets. These significant assumptions are reviewed annually and are disclosed in Note 14 “Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2025 Form 10-K.
For our pension plans, the discount rate is evaluated on measurement dates to reflect the prevailing market rate of a portfolio of high-quality fixed-income debt instruments that would provide the future cash flows needed to pay the benefits included in the benefit obligation as they come due.
The expected rate of return for the pension plans represents the average rate of return to be earned on plan assets over the period the benefits included in the benefit obligation are to be paid. In developing the expected rate of return, we consider long-term compound annualized returns of historical market data, current market conditions and actual returns on our plan assets. Using this reference information, we develop forward-looking return expectations for each asset category and a weighted-average expected long-term rate of return for a target portfolio allocated across these investment categories. The expected portfolio performance reflects the contribution of active management as appropriate.
Stock-Based Compensation
We expense all stock-based payment awards to employees, including grants of stock options, over the requisite service period based on the grant date fair value of the awards. The fair value of certain stock-based awards is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model which uses both historical and current market data to estimate the fair value. This method incorporates various assumptions such as the risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, expected dividend yield and expected life of the options.
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Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 2 “Summary of Accounting Policies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this 2025 Form 10-K.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001821825-25-000006.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We make statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and we may from time to time make other written reports and oral statements, regarding our outlook or expectations for financial, business or strategic matters regarding or affecting us that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, all of which are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties which change over time and may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. One can identify these forward-looking statements by their use of words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “will,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “believes,” “would,” “potentially,” “intends,” “seeks,” “future,” “might,” “likely,” “target,” “predict,” “continue,” “should,” and other words of similar meaning, or negative variations of any of the foregoing. One can also identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our growth and acquisition strategies, financial results, product development, product approvals, product potential and development programs. One must carefully consider any such statement and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. These factors may be based on inaccurate assumptions and are subject to a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. The factors described in Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors of this report or otherwise described in our filings
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with the SEC, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:
•expanded brand and class competition in the markets in which we operate;
•difficulties with performance of third parties we rely on for our business growth;
•the failure of any supplier to provide substances, materials, or services as agreed;
•the increased cost of supply, manufacturing, packaging, and operations;
•difficulties developing and sustaining relationships with commercial counterparties;
•competition from generic products as our products lose patent protection;
•any failure by us to retain market exclusivity to Nexplanon or to obtain an additional period of exclusivity in the United States for Nexplanon subsequent to the expiration of the rod patents in 2027;
•the continued impact of the September 2024 LOE for Atozet;
•disruptions at the FDA, the SEC and other U.S. and comparable government agencies;
•difficulties and uncertainties inherent in the implementation of our acquisition strategy or failure to recognize the benefits of such acquisitions;
•pricing pressures globally, including rules and practices of managed care groups, judicial decisions and governmental laws and regulations related to Medicare, Medicaid and health care reform, pharmaceutical reimbursement and pricing in general;
•the impact of higher selling and promotional costs;
•changes in government laws and regulations in the United States and other jurisdictions, including laws and regulations governing the research, development, approval, clearance, manufacturing, supply, distribution, and/or marketing of our products and related intellectual property, environmental regulations, and the enforcement thereof affecting our business;
•efficacy, safety or other quality concerns with respect to our marketed products, whether or not scientifically justified, leading to product recalls, withdrawals or declining sales;
•delays or failures to demonstrate adequate efficacy and safety of our product candidates in pre-clinical and clinical trials, which may prevent or delay the development, approval, clearance, or commercialization of our product candidates;
•future actions of third-parties, including significant changes in customer relationships or changes in the behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services, including delaying medical procedures, rationing prescription medications, reducing the frequency of physician visits and forgoing health care insurance coverage;
•legal factors, including product liability claims, antitrust litigation and governmental investigations, including tax disputes, environmental claims and patent disputes with branded and generic competitors, any of which could preclude commercialization of products or negatively affect the profitability of existing products;
•lost market opportunity resulting from delays and uncertainties in clinical trials and the approval or clearance process of the US FDA and other regulatory authorities;
•the failure by us or our third party collaborators and/or their suppliers to fulfill our or their regulatory or quality obligations, which could lead to a delay in regulatory approval or commercial marketing of our products;
•cyberattacks on, or other failures, accidents, or security breaches of, our or third-party providers’ information technology systems, which could disrupt our operations and those of third parties upon which we rely;
•increased focus on privacy issues in countries around the world, including the United States, the EU, and China, and a more difficult legislative and regulatory landscape for privacy and data protection that continues to evolve with the potential to directly affect our business, including recently enacted laws in a majority of states in the United States requiring security breach notification;
•changes in tax laws including changes related to the taxation of foreign earnings;
•the impact of any future pandemic, epidemic, or similar public health threat on our business, operations and financial performance;
•loss of key employees or inability to identify and recruit new employees;
•changes in accounting pronouncements promulgated by standard-setting or regulatory bodies, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC, that are adverse to us; and
•economic factors over which we have no control, including changes in inflation, interest rates, recessionary pressures, and foreign currency exchange rates.
It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, one should not consider the above list or any other such list to be a complete statement of all potential risks or uncertainties. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as otherwise may be required by law.
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General
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to assist the reader in understanding our financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 and should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to enhance the understanding of our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Additionally, this section should be read in connection with Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC and available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, which includes a discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
We are a global healthcare company with a primary focus on improving the health of women throughout their lives. We develop and deliver innovative health solutions through a portfolio of prescription therapies and medical devices within women’s health, biosimilars and established brands. We have a portfolio of more than 70 medicines and products across a range of therapeutic areas. We sell these products through various channels including drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies and managed health care providers such as health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and other institutions. We operate six manufacturing facilities, which are located in Belgium, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Unless otherwise indicated, trademarks appearing in italics throughout this document are trademarks of, or are used under license by our companies.
Key Trends Affecting Our Results of Operations
•Generic Competition: Except for Emgality, Rayvow and Vtama, our established brands products are beyond market exclusivity. Although these products continue to represent a valuable opportunity to generate significant operating profit relative to low promotional and development expenses, they are subject to competition from generic versions of these products. For instance, we have been negatively impacted by the September 2024 LOE for Atozet, and we expect those negative impacts to continue or intensify in 2025. In addition, Nexplanon is an important Organon brand that continues to have good market exclusivity, especially in the United States. This complex drug-device combination has different components with different patent exclusivities. In the United States, patents claiming key aspects of the Nexplanon applicator will expire in 2030 and patents for the Nexplanon rod will expire in late 2027. Patents for the majority of countries where Nexplanon is commercialized outside the United States will expire between 2025 and 2026. See Note 18 “Contingencies—Other Matters” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.
•Historical Shift Towards Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives: Daily contraceptive pills are by far the largest contraception market segment, with almost half of all women choosing a hormonal contraceptive electing this particular method. However, the Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (“LARC”) market, including Nexplanon, is expected to continue to be an important and large segment of the overall contraceptive market. Despite an increasingly diverse market of contraception methods (including the over-the-counter birth control pill), payors, providers, and patients continue to believe in the benefits of long-acting and highly effective options such as Nexplanon.
•Increased Access to Fertility Solutions: With the global trend toward declining birthrates, governments and payors are implementing favorable policies across major markets that, in turn, improve access to care and drives growth for infertility therapies.
•Growing Acceptance of Biosimilars: The market for biologics continues to experience strong growth trends. Given the high cost of many of these biologics treatments, biosimilars are a more affordable alternative and represent a significant opportunity for patients, providers, and payors once a biologics product loses patent protection. Moreover, a significant number of biologics are expected to lose exclusivity over the next decade, representing a large opportunity for more biosimilar approvals.
•Increased Competitive Pressures: The markets in which we conduct our business and the pharmaceutical industry in general are highly competitive and highly regulated. Our competitors include other worldwide research-based pharmaceutical companies, smaller research companies with more limited therapeutic focus and generic drug manufacturers.
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Recent Developments
Business Development
Dermavant Sciences Ltd. (“Dermavant”)
On October 28, 2024, we acquired Dermavant, a company dedicated to developing and commercializing innovative therapeutics in immuno-dermatology. Dermavant’s novel product, Vtama, for the topical treatment of mild, moderate, and severe plaque psoriasis in adults, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) in May 2022. In December 2024, the FDA approved Vtama for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, in adults and children two years of age and older. Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common inflammatory dermatological conditions in adults, presenting a higher disease burden for women compared to men. The acquisition allows us to further expand our existing portfolio of established brands and biosimilar dermatology treatments.
Consideration for Dermavant consists of the upfront payment of $175 million and a $75 million milestone payment upon regulatory approval, as well as payments of up to $950 million for the achievements of certain commercial milestones, tiered royalties on net sales, and the assumption of liabilities, including certain debt obligations, which were accounted for at fair value on the acquisition date.
During the fourth quarter of 2024, the regulatory milestone related to Vtama’s atopic dermatitis indication, which was recorded as part of contingent consideration at fair value, was achieved and recorded in Accrued and other current liabilities. In January 2025, we paid $75 million related to the milestone.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, we recognized an additional intangible asset of $24 million, related to a sales-based milestone that was deemed probable and was related to an assumed licensing agreement. The intangible asset will be amortized over 11 years.
Suzhou Centergene Pharmaceuticals (“Centergene”)
In September 2024, we entered into license and supply agreements with Centergene, pursuant to which we acquired the exclusive commercialization rights to Centergene’s investigational asset, SJ02, in China. SJ02 is a long-acting recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone carboxyl-terminal peptide fusion protein (FSH-CTP) designed for controlled ovarian stimulation (“COS”) in combination with a GnRH antagonist. It is used to facilitate the development of multiple follicles in women undergoing ART programs. Under the terms of the agreement, we will pay $12 million, of which $6 million was paid in the fourth quarter of 2024. In addition, the remaining $6 million is payable upon obtaining the manufacturing license, which is refundable if thereafter either the regulatory approval is not obtained or marketing authorization cannot be transferred. We may owe additional regulatory and sales-based milestones to Centergene of up to $170 million under the terms of the license and supply agreements. We will recognize regulatory and sales-based milestones when the achievement is probable.
Eli Lilly (“Lilly”)
In December 2023, we announced an agreement with Lilly to become the sole distributor and promoter of the migraine medicines Emgality and Rayvow in Europe. Lilly will remain the marketing authorization holder and will manufacture the products for sale. Under the terms of the agreement, we paid an upfront payment of $50 million upon closing of the transaction in January 2024, and will recognize sales-based milestones when the achievement is deemed probable. In the first quarter of 2024, we recognized an intangible asset of $220 million, comprised of the $50 million upfront payment and $170 million of sales-based milestones that were deemed probable. The intangible asset will be amortized over 10 years.
In August of 2024, we expanded our agreement with Lilly to become the sole distributor and promoter for Emgality in the following additional markets: Canada, Colombia, Israel, South Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. We paid an upfront payment of $23 million for the expansion of territory upon closing of the transaction in August 2024, and will recognize sales-based milestones when the achievement is deemed probable. In the third quarter of 2024, we recognized an additional intangible asset of $113 million, comprised of the $23 million upfront payment and $90 million related to the sales-based milestones that were deemed probable. The intangible asset will be amortized over 10 years.
As of December 31, 2024, we had accrued $20 million in Accrued and Other current liabilities and $240 million in Other noncurrent liabilities in total related to the probable sales-based milestones. In January 2025, we paid $20 million related to the milestones.
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Operating Results
Sales Overview
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 1,572 | $ | 1,478 | $ | 1,437 | 6 | % | 6 | % | 3 | % | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| International | 4,831 | 4,785 | 4,737 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 6,403 | $ | 6,263 | $ | 6,174 | 2 | % | 3 | % | 1 | % | 3 | % |
Worldwide sales were $6.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2024, an increase of 2%, compared to 2023. Worldwide sales during the year ended December 31, 2024 were negatively impacted by approximately 1%, or $77 million, due to unfavorable foreign exchange.
Excluding foreign exchange, sales increases for the year ended December 31, 2024, primarily reflect the performance of:
•Nexplanon, due to increased demand, favorable price and discount rates in the United States, increased demand and favorable price in international markets and an increase in demand in our institutional business in Africa;
•Emgality and Rayvow, due to the acquisition of the distribution and promotion rights from Lilly in 2024 in certain markets outside of the United States;
•Hadlima, due to the launch in the United States in July 2023 and a modest increase in international markets; and
•Diprospan, due to recovery from the manufacturing issues resulting from the regulatory inspection finding at the Heist manufacturing location that impacted the manufacturing of selected injectable steroid brands in the first quarter of 2023 (the “Market Action”).
This performance was offset by decreases for the year ended December 31, 2024 in:
•NuvaRing, due to ongoing generic competition and the negative impact of increased government discount rates in the United States;
•Atozet, primarily due to LOE in France, Spain and Japan and the timing of tenders in the Latin America region, partially offset by increased demand in certain markets in Europe, prior to LOE in September 2024;
•Singulair due to decreased demand in China and Japan and price decreases in Japan; and
•Cozaar and Hyzaar, driven by the negative impact of volume-based procurement (“VBP”) in China and unfavorable pricing in Japan.
LOE negatively impacted sales of certain of our products by approximately $57 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, based on the decrease in volume period over period, which was primarily driven by the LOE of Atozet in France, Spain, and Japan. VBP in China had a $13 million negative impact on our sales during the year ended December 31, 2024. We expect VBP to continue to impact our established brands product portfolio for the next several quarters.
Our operations include a portfolio of products. Highlights of the sales of our products for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 are provided below. See Note 5 “Product and Geographic Information” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on sales of our products.
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Women’s Health
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nexplanon/Implanon NXT | $ | 963 | $ | 830 | $ | 834 | 16 | % | 17 | % | (1) | % | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| NuvaRing (1) | 115 | 176 | 219 | (35) | (33) | (19) | (18) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marvelon/Mercilon | 134 | 134 | 110 | — | 2 | 22 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Follistim AQ | 237 | 262 | 229 | (10) | (9) | 14 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ganirelix Acetate Injection | 109 | 110 | 123 | (1) | 1 | (10) | (8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jada | 61 | 43 | 20 | 40 | 40 | 113 | 113 |
(1) Sales of the authorized generic version of NuvaRing were previously included in Other Women’s Health.
Contraception
Worldwide sales of Nexplanon, a single-rod subdermal contraceptive implant, increased 16% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, primarily due to increased demand, favorable price and discount rates in the United States, increased demand and favorable price in international markets and an increase in demand in our institutional business in Africa.
Worldwide sales of NuvaRing, a vaginal contraceptive product, declined 35% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, due to ongoing generic competition and the negative impact of increased government discount rates in the United States. We expect a continued decline in NuvaRing sales as a result of generic competition.
Worldwide sales of Marvelon and Mercilon, combined oral hormonal daily contraceptive pills not approved or marketed in the United States, but available in certain countries outside the United States, remained consistent for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, as a result of increased demand in various international markets offset by slight declines in China and Japan.
Fertility
Worldwide sales of Follistim AQ, a fertility treatment, declined 10% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, due to a one-time buy-in as a result of our exit from our interim operating model agreement in the United States with Merck, during the fourth quarter of 2023, and unfavorable discount rates in the United States, partially offset by increased demand in the United States and launches in various international markets.
Worldwide sales of ganirelix acetate injection, a fertility treatment, declined 1% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, primarily due to generic competition, partially offset by increased demand in the United States and various international markets.
Other Women’s Health
Worldwide sales of Jada, a device intended to provide control and treatment of abnormal postpartum uterine bleeding or hemorrhage when conservative management is warranted, increased 40% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023. The sales increase is due to continued uptake in the United States following the Jada launch in early 2022.
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Biosimilars
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Renflexis | $ | 274 | $ | 278 | $ | 226 | (1) | % | (1) | % | 23 | % | 24 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Ontruzant | 141 | 155 | 122 | (9) | (9) | 28 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brenzys | 77 | 73 | 75 | 6 | 6 | (2) | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hadlima | 142 | 44 | 19 | 224 | 225 | 125 | 130 |
Renflexis is a biosimilar to Remicade2 (infliximab) for the treatment of certain autoimmune conditions. Sales declined 1% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, primarily due to unfavorable discount rates in the United States partially offset by demand growth in the United States and Canada. We have commercialization rights to Renflexis in countries outside of Europe, Korea, China, Turkey, and Russia.
Ontruzant is a biosimilar to Herceptin2 (trastuzumab) for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer and HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Sales for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, declined 9%, driven by lower demand in the United States and Europe partially offset by increased demand as a result of tenders in Brazil. We have commercialization rights to Ontruzant in all countries except in Korea and China.
Brenzys is a biosimilar to Enbrel2 (etanercept) for the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases. Sales for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, increased 6%, driven by increased demand in Canada. We have commercialization rights to Brenzys in countries outside of the United States, Europe, Korea, China, and Japan.
Hadlima is a biosimilar to Humira2 (adalimumab) for the treatment of certain autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions. We have commercialization rights to Hadlima in countries outside of the EU, Korea, China, Turkey, and Russia. We recorded sales of $142 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, reflecting an increase due to the launch in the United States in July 2023 and a modest increase in international markets. Hadlima is currently approved in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Israel.
Established Brands
Established brands represents a broad portfolio of well-known brands, which generally are beyond market exclusivity, including leading brands in cardiovascular, respiratory, dermatology and non-opioid pain management, for which generic competition varies by market.
Cardiovascular
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zetia/Vytorin (1) | $ | 425 | $ | 451 | $ | 500 | (6) | % | (4) | % | (10) | % | (8) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Atozet | 473 | 519 | 457 | (9) | (8) | 14 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cozaar/Hyzaar | 243 | 281 | 323 | (14) | (11) | (13) | (9) |
(1) Sales of the authorized generic version of Zetia were previously included in Other Cardiovascular.
Combined global sales of Zetia and Vytorin, medicines for lowering LDL cholesterol, declined 6% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, primarily driven by the decrease in demand and mandatory annual price reductions in Japan, partially offset by increased demand in China.
Sales of Atozet, a medicine for lowering LDL cholesterol, declined 9% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, primarily due to LOE in France, Spain, and Japan and the timing of tenders in the Latin America region partially offset by increased demand in certain markets in Europe. We anticipate a continued significant decline in sales of Atozet in 2025 due to LOE, which occurred late in the third quarter of 2024, in certain markets in Europe.
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Combined global sales of Cozaar and Hyzaar, medicines for the treatment of hypertension, declined 14% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, driven by the negative impact of VBP in China and mandatory annual price reductions in Japan.
Respiratory
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Singulair | $ | 359 | $ | 404 | $ | 411 | (11) | % | (8) | % | (2) | % | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Nasonex (1) | 276 | 266 | 260 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dulera | 203 | 194 | 180 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 9 |
(1) Sales of the authorized generic version of Nasonex were previously included in Other Respiratory.
Worldwide sales of Singulair, a once-a-day oral medicine for the chronic treatment of asthma and for the relief of symptoms of allergic rhinitis, decreased 11% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, due to decreased demand in China and Japan and mandatory annual price reductions in Japan.
Global sales of Nasonex, an inhaled nasal corticosteroid for the treatment of nasal allergy symptoms, increased 4% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, respectively, due to increased demand across international markets.
Global sales of Dulera, which is also marketed as Zenhale in certain markets outside of the United States, a combination medicine for the treatment of asthma, increased 5% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, primarily due to the favorable impact of increased demand in the United States and Canada.
Non-Opioid Pain, Bone and Dermatology
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arcoxia | $ | 270 | $ | 257 | $ | 241 | 5 | % | 7 | % | 7 | % | 12 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Diprospan | 139 | 91 | 122 | 52 | 55 | (25) | % | (22) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vtama | 12 | — | — | * | * | — | % | — | % |
* Calculation not meaningful.
Sales of Arcoxia, a medicine for the treatment of arthritis and pain, increased 5% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, primarily due to increased demand in China and favorable pricing in the Asia Pacific region partially offset by a decrease in demand in various international markets.
Sales of Diprospan, a corticosteroid approved for treatment of a wide range of inflammatory conditions, increased 52% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, due to recovery from the manufacturing issues resulting from the Market Action. In the first quarter of 2023, we resolved the regulatory inspection findings.
Sales of Vtama a cream for the topical treatment of mild, moderate, and severe plaque psoriasis in adults were $12 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, reflecting the acquisition of Dermavant in the fourth quarter of 2024.
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Other
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Emgality/Rayvow | $ | 107 | $ | — | $ | — | * | * | — | % | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Proscar | 95 | 97 | 101 | (2) | — | (3) | 1 |
* Calculation not meaningful.
Sales of Emgality and Rayvow were $107 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, reflecting the acquisition of the distribution and promotion rights from Lilly in 2024, in certain markets outside of the United States.
Worldwide sales of Proscar, a medicine for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostate enlargement, declined 2% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, due to decreased demand in China.
Gross Profit, Expenses and Other
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs. 2023 | 2023 vs. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 2,688 | $ | 2,515 | $ | 2,294 | 7 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 3,715 | 3,748 | 3,880 | (1) | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,760 | 1,893 | 1,704 | (7) | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 469 | 528 | 471 | (11) | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Acquired in-process research and development and milestones | 81 | 8 | 107 | * | (93) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs | 31 | 62 | 28 | (50) | * | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 520 | 527 | 422 | (1) | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange losses | 26 | 42 | 11 | (38) | * | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other expense, net | 21 | 15 | 15 | 40 | — |
* Calculation not meaningful.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales increased 7% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, primarily due to higher sales volume, higher inflation impacts to material and distribution costs and amortization of $7 million associated with the inventory fair value adjustment related to the Dermavant acquisition purchase accounting, partially offset by foreign exchange translation. Cost of sales includes amortization of intangible assets which totaled $145 million in 2024, $116 million in 2023 and $116 million in 2022. Amortization for 2024, includes $6 million related to the Dermavant acquired intangibles.
Gross Profit
Gross profit decreased 1% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, due to the impact of unfavorable price, foreign exchange translation and higher inflation impacts to material and distribution costs partially offset by increased sales due to volume.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 7% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, due to the $80 million charge in 2023 related to the Microspherix legal matter (as discussed in Note 18 “Contingencies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report) and lower costs associated with the implementation of our Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system, partially offset by increased expenses related to the Dermavant acquisition, including transaction costs of $12 million.
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Research and Development
Research and development expenses decreased 11% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, primarily due to a decrease in clinical study activity and lower personnel costs due to a reduction in headcount related to our restructuring initiatives.
Acquired In-Process Research and Development and Milestones
For the year ended December 31, 2024, acquired in-process research and development and milestones of $81 million primarily represent the research and development milestones of $70 million for our agreement with Henlius and $10 million for our agreement with Cirqle, which were determined to be probable of being achieved. For the year ended December 31, 2023 acquired in-process research and development and milestones of $8 million represent the upfront and development milestones related to the Claria transaction. See Note 3 “Acquisitions and Licensing Arrangements” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report for further information regarding our agreements with Henlius and Cirqle.
Restructuring Costs
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we incurred $31 million of headcount-related restructuring expense related to the ongoing optimization of our internal operations, primarily the research and development function. During the first quarter of 2025, we implemented additional restructuring initiatives that will drive operational efficiencies in 2025, and will result in an approximate 5% headcount reduction.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased 1% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, reflecting lower interest rates as a result of refinancing a portion of our long-term debt and the impact of our cross-currency swaps, partially offset by interest related to the debt acquired as part of the Dermavant acquisition and approximately $6 million in debt issuance costs related to the refinancing of our long-term debt. Beginning in May 2024, the difference between the interest rate received of 7.3125% and paid of 5.8330% under the cross-currency swap agreements is recorded in Interest expense.
Exchange Losses
Exchange losses decreased 38% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, driven by less volatility in foreign exchange compared to the prior year and the favorable changes in spot rates of our forward contracts.
Other Expense, net
Other expense increased 40% for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to 2023, due to the fair value adjustment of contingent consideration related to the Dermavant acquisition.
Taxes on Income
The effective income tax rate was (7.1)% and (52.2)% for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The effective income tax rate reflects the beneficial impact of foreign earnings, offset by the impact of U.S. inclusions under the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income regime and a partial valuation allowance recorded against non-deductible U.S. interest expense. There was a favorable impact to the 2024 effective tax rate, which was driven by the favorable closure of two non-U.S. tax audits and a return to provision adjustment for the Switzerland entity.
In the third quarter of 2024, the Swiss tax authority confirmed to us the applicable useful life of an existing tax asset. As a result, we have now concluded it is more likely than not we will utilize the entirety of the tax asset. As such, we released a $210 million related valuation allowance.
Effective January 1, 2024, multiple jurisdictions, most notably, a majority of the European Union member states, implemented the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Pillar 2 global corporate minimum tax rate of 15% on companies with revenues of at least €750 million. We have evaluated the impact of this for 2024 and it does not have a material effect on a full year basis.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $675 million. We have historically generated and expect to continue to generate positive cash flow from operations. Our ability to fund our operations and anticipated capital needs is reliant upon the generation of cash from operations, supplemented as necessary by periodic utilization of our revolving credit facility. Our principal uses of cash in the future will be primarily to fund our operations, working capital needs, capital expenditures, repayment of borrowings, payment of dividends and strategic business development transactions. We believe that our financing arrangements, future cash from operations, and access to capital markets will provide adequate resources to fund our future cash flow needs.
During the second and fourth quarters of 2024, we refinanced a portion of our long-term debt. These transactions extended certain maturity dates, resulted in lower interest rates for certain of our long-term debt and increased the capacity of our revolving credit facility. See Note 12 “Long-Term Debt and Leases” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report for further information on our long-term debt transactions.
Working capital is defined as current assets less current liabilities and was $1.6 billion as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Working capital was impacted by our active cash cycle management, including the factoring of receivables and timing of vendor payments.
We have accounts receivable factoring agreements with financial institutions in certain countries. Under these agreements, we have factored $186 million of our accounts receivable as of December 31, 2024.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $939 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $799 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to our favorable operating performance and cash cycle working capital, partially offset by higher cash taxes paid and higher severance-related payments.
Net cash used in investing activities was $513 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $260 million for the same period in the prior year, primarily due to the Dermavant acquisition, the $73 million upfront payments related to the agreement with Lilly and the additional $71 million payments related to milestones, partially offset by lower capital spending as a result of the completion of the implementation of our ERP system.
Net cash used in financing activities was $368 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $569 million for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in cash used in financing activities was driven by the $250 million voluntary prepayment on the U.S. dollar-denominated term loan in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a $7.5 million discretionary prepayment on the U.S. dollar-denominated term loan and $38 million of debt issuance costs related to the long-term debt refinancing in the year ended December 31, 2024.
As part of our post-spinoff plan, we have approved an initiative to further optimize our manufacturing and supply network. As part of this initiative, we will continue to separate our supply chain through planned exits from supply agreements from Merck through 2031. This will enable us to redefine our appropriate sourcing strategy, and move to fit-for-purpose supply chains, while focusing on delivering efficiencies. We anticipate we will incur costs associated with this separation, including but not limited to accelerated depreciation, exit premiums and fees, technology transfer costs, stability and qualification batch costs, one-time resourcing costs, regulatory and filing costs, capital investment, and inventory stock bridges.
For the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, our combined revenues from Ukraine, Russia and Israel were approximately 2% of total revenues. While we will continue to monitor the impacts of the Ukraine-Russia war and the Hamas-Israel conflict, as of December 31, 2024, our assets in Ukraine, Russia and Israel are not material.
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2024, which require material cash requirements in the future, consist of contractual milestones, purchase obligations and lease obligations.
Contractual milestones are potential payments based upon the achievement of specified milestones associated with business development transactions. Such milestone payments will only be payable in the event that our collaborative partners achieve contractually defined success-based milestones such as the advancement of the specified research and development programs or the receipt of regulatory approval for the specified compounds or products and/or we reach a sales threshold of the specified compounds or products. The timing of the payments of the contractual milestones are uncertain and the likelihood of achieving
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the milestones cannot be determined. As of December 31, 2024, total potential payments for contractual milestones are $3.4 billion. Potential amounts to be paid within the next twelve months are $218 million.
Purchase obligations are enforceable and legally binding obligations for purchases of goods and services which include inventory purchase commitments. As of December 31, 2024, total payments due for purchase obligations are $850 million and extend through 2032. Amounts due within the next twelve months are $356 million.
Long-term debt consists of both fixed and variable-rate instruments. As of December 31, 2024, total payments due for debt obligations are $9.0 billion and extend through 2034. Amounts due within the next twelve months are $8 million.
Lease obligations exclude reasonably certain lease renewals that have not yet been executed. As of December 31, 2024, total payments due for lease obligations are $177 million and extend through 2041. Amounts due within the next twelve months are $49 million.
During 2024, we paid cash dividends of $1.12 per share. On February 13, 2025, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.28 for each issued and outstanding share of our common stock. The dividend is payable on March 13, 2025, to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 24, 2025.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The audited annual consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP and, accordingly, include certain amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. A discussion of accounting estimates considered critical because of the potential for a significant impact on the financial statements due to the inherent uncertainty in such estimates are disclosed below. Because of the uncertainty inherent in such estimates, actual results may differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Our accounting policy for revenue recognition has a substantial impact on reported results and relies on certain estimates. Revenue is recognized following a five-step model: (i) identify the customer contract; (ii) identify the contract’s performance obligation; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligation; and (v) recognize revenue when or as a performance obligation is satisfied. Revenue is reduced for gross-to-net sales adjustments discussed below, all of which involve significant estimates and judgment after considering applicable laws and regulations and definitive contractual agreements with private sector and public sector benefit providers. These types of variable consideration are estimated at the time of sale generally using the expected value method, although the most likely amount method is used for prompt pay discounts. In addition, revenues are recorded net of time value of money discounts if collection of accounts receivable is expected to be in excess of one year. Estimates are assessed each period and adjusted as required to revise information or actual experience.
In the United States, revenue is reduced by sales discounts issued to customers at the point-of-sale, through an intermediary wholesaler (known as chargebacks), or in the form of rebate amounts owed based upon definitive contractual agreements or legal requirements with private sector (Managed Care) and public sector (Medicaid and Medicare Part D) customers. Additionally, sales are generally made with a limited right of return under certain conditions.
The provision for aggregate customer discounts in the United States covers chargebacks and rebates. We determine the provision for chargebacks based on expected sell-through levels by our wholesale customers to contracted customers, as well as estimated wholesaler inventory levels. The provision for rebates is based on expected patient usage, as well as inventory levels in the distribution channel to determine the contractual obligation to the benefit providers. We use historical customer segment utilization mix, sales, changes to product mix and price, inventory levels in the distribution channel, government pricing calculations and prior payment history in order to estimate the expected provision. Amounts accrued for aggregate customer discounts are evaluated on a quarterly basis through comparison of information provided by the wholesalers, health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, federal and state agencies, and other customers to the amounts accrued.
We continually monitor our provision for aggregate customer discounts. There were no material adjustments to estimates associated with the aggregate customer discount provision in 2024, 2023, or 2022.
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Summarized information about changes in the aggregate customer discount accrual related to sales in the United States is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Balance January 1 | $ | 504 | $ | 385 | $ | 329 | ||||
| Provision | 3,024 | 2,640 | 2,221 | |||||||
| Payments (1) | (3,048) | (2,521) | (2,165) | |||||||
| Balance December 31 | $ | 480 | $ | 504 | $ | 385 |
(1) Includes $48 million of liabilities assumed as part of the Dermavant acquisition.
Accruals for chargebacks are reflected as a direct reduction to accounts receivable and accruals for rebates as current liabilities. The accrued balances relative to these provisions included in accounts receivable and accrued and other current liabilities were $100 million and $380 million, respectively, at December 31, 2024, $87 million and $417 million, respectively, at December 31, 2023 and $78 million and $307 million, respectively, at December 31, 2022. The increase in accrued rebates in 2023 is attributable to a wholesaler buy-in in conjunction with the exit of the interim operating model with Merck for the Follistim product.
Outside of the United States, variable consideration in the form of discounts and rebates is a combination of commercially-driven discounts in highly competitive product classes, discounts required to gain or maintain reimbursement, or legislatively mandated rebates. In certain European countries, legislatively mandated rebates are calculated based on an estimate of the government’s total unbudgeted spending and our specific payback obligation. Rebates may also be required based on specific product sales thresholds. We apply an estimated factor against our actual invoiced sales to represent the expected level of future discount or rebate obligations associated with the sale.
We maintain a returns policy that allows our customers in certain countries to return product within a specified period prior to and subsequent to the expiration date (generally, three to six months before and 12 months after product expiration). The estimate of the provision for returns is based upon historical experience with actual returns. Additionally, we consider factors such as levels of inventory in the distribution channel, product dating and expiration period, whether products have been discontinued, entrance in the market of generic competition, changes in formularies or launch of over-the-counter products, among others.
See Note 2 “Summary of Accounting Policies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report for additional details on our revenue recognition policy.
Contingencies and Environmental Liabilities
We are involved in various claims and legal proceedings of a nature considered normal to our business, including product liability, intellectual property, and commercial litigation, as well as certain additional matters including governmental and environmental matters. See Note 18 “Contingencies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report. We record accruals for contingencies when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
Legal defense costs expected to be incurred in connection with a loss contingency are accrued when probable and reasonably estimable.
We believe that there are no compliance issues associated with applicable environmental laws and regulations that would have a material adverse effect on us. Expenditures for remediation and environmental liabilities were $3 million in 2024, and are estimated at $14 million in the aggregate for the years 2025 through 2029. Liabilities for all environmental matters that are probable and reasonably estimable have been accrued and totaled $16 million and $19 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These liabilities are undiscounted, do not consider potential recoveries from other parties and will be paid out over the periods of remediation for the applicable sites, which are expected to occur primarily over the next 13 years. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these matters, or the ultimate costs of remediation, we do not believe that any reasonably possible expenditures that may be incurred in excess of the liabilities accrued should exceed $23 million in the aggregate. We also do not believe that these expenditures should result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity for any year.
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Impairments of Long-Lived Assets
We assess changes in economic, regulatory and legal conditions and make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows in evaluating the value of our property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets. The judgments made in evaluating impairment of long-lived intangibles can materially affect our results of operations.
We periodically evaluate whether current facts or circumstances indicate that the carrying values of our long-lived assets to be held and used may not be recoverable. If such circumstances are determined to exist, an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows of these assets, or appropriate asset groupings, is compared to the carrying value to determine whether an impairment exists. If the asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured based on the difference between the asset’s fair value and its carrying value. If quoted market prices are not available, we estimate fair value using a discounted value of estimated future cash flows approach.
Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment as of October 1 each year, or more frequently if impairment indicators exist, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that fair value is less than carrying value. Some of the factors considered in the assessment include general macroeconomic conditions, conditions specific to the industry and market, cost factors which could have a significant effect on earnings or cash flows, and overall financial performance. If we conclude it is more likely than not that fair value is less than carrying value, a quantitative fair value test is performed. If carrying value is greater than fair value, a goodwill impairment charge will be recorded for the difference (up to the carrying value of goodwill). We completed the annual qualitative goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2024 and concluded that there was no impairment to goodwill as the fair value of the reporting unit was significantly in excess of the carrying value.
Intangible assets are initially recorded at fair value, assigned an estimated useful life, and amortized primarily on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. When events or circumstances warrant a review, we will assess recoverability from future operations using pretax undiscounted cash flows derived from the lowest appropriate asset groupings. Potential risks leading to impairment could include LOE occurring earlier than expected, competition, pricing reductions, and other macroeconomic changes. Impairments are recognized in operating results to the extent that the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, which is determined based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows. We did not have impairment charges as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. We recorded impairment charges of $9 million as of December 31, 2022. See Note 11 “Intangibles” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report for additional details on Intangibles.
Taxes on Income
Deferred taxes are recognized for the future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting based on enacted tax laws and rates. We establish valuation allowances for our deferred tax assets when the amount of expected future income is not likely to support the use of the deduction or credit. We evaluate tax positions to determine whether the benefits of tax positions are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit based on the technical merits of the tax position. For tax positions that are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, we recognize the largest amount of the benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement in the financial statements. For tax positions that are not more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, we do not recognize any portion of the benefit in the financial statements. We recognize interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of Taxes on Income in the consolidated statement of income.
Inventory Valuation
Inventories consist of currently marketed products and are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventories are assessed regularly for impairment and valuation reserves are established when necessary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, product obsolescence and changes in estimates of future product demand and expiry. The determination of events and the assumptions utilized in our quantification of valuation reserves may require judgment. No material adjustments have been required to our inventory reserve estimates for the periods presented. Adverse changes in assumptions utilized in our inventory reserve calculations could result in an increase to our inventory valuation reserves and higher cost of sales.
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Acquisitions
Business combinations are evaluated in order to determine whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. We make certain judgments, which include assessment of the inputs, processes, and outputs associated with the acquired set of activities. If we determine that substantially all of the fair value of gross assets included in a transaction is concentrated in a single asset (or a group of similar assets), we account for the transaction as an asset acquisition. In an asset acquisition, acquired in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) with no alternative future use is charged to expense and contingent consideration is not recognized at the acquisition date. Product development milestones are recognized upon achievement and sales-based milestones are recognized when the milestone is deemed probable of being achieved. No goodwill is recorded in an asset acquisition.
To be considered a business, the assets in a transaction need to include an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. Businesses acquired are consolidated upon obtaining control. The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recognized at the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies are generally recognized at fair value. If fair value cannot be determined, the asset or liability is recognized if probable and reasonably estimable; if these criteria are not met, no asset or liability is recognized. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recognized as goodwill. Business acquisition costs are expensed when incurred.
The fair values of identifiable intangible assets related to currently marketed products are primarily determined by using an income approach through which fair value is estimated based on each asset’s discounted projected net cash flows. Our estimates of market participant net cash flows consider historical and projected pricing, margins and expense levels; the performance of competing products and the current and expected competition environment where applicable; relevant industry and product growth drivers and factors; product life cycles; the ability to obtain additional marketing and regulatory approvals; the ability to manufacture and commercialize the products; and the life of each asset’s underlying patent and related patent term extension, if any. The net cash flows are then discounted to present value utilizing an appropriate discount rate.
The fair values of identifiable intangible assets related to IPR&D are also determined using an income approach, through which fair value is estimated based on each asset’s probability-adjusted future net cash flows, which reflect the different stages of development of each product and the associated probability of successful completion. The net cash flows are then discounted to present value using an appropriate discount rate. Amounts allocated to acquired IPR&D are capitalized and accounted for as indefinite-lived intangible assets, subject to impairment testing until completion or abandonment of the projects. Upon successful completion of each IPR&D project, we will make a determination as to the then-useful life of the intangible asset, generally determined by the period in which the substantial majority of the cash flows are expected to be generated and begin amortization.
Certain of our business combinations involve the potential for future payment of consideration that is contingent upon the achievement of performance milestones, including product development milestones and royalty payments on future product sales. The fair value of contingent consideration liabilities is determined at the acquisition date using unobservable inputs. These inputs include the estimated amount and timing of projected cash flows, the probability of success (achievement of the contingent event) and the risk-adjusted discount rate used to present value the probability-weighted cash flows. Subsequent to the acquisition date, at each reporting period until the contingency is resolved, the contingent consideration liability is remeasured at current fair value with changes (either expense or income) recorded in earnings in Other expense, net. Changes in any of the inputs may result in a significantly different fair value adjustment.
Pension
Our pension plans are calculated using actuarial assumptions including a discount rate for plan benefit obligations and an expected rate of return on plan assets. These significant assumptions are reviewed annually and are disclosed in Note 14 “Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report.
For our pension plans, the discount rate is evaluated on measurement dates to reflect the prevailing market rate of a portfolio of high-quality fixed-income debt instruments that would provide the future cash flows needed to pay the benefits included in the benefit obligation as they come due.
The expected rate of return for the pension plans represents the average rate of return to be earned on plan assets over the period the benefits included in the benefit obligation are to be paid. In developing the expected rate of return, we consider long-term compound annualized returns of historical market data, current market conditions and actual returns on our plan assets. Using this reference information, we develop forward-looking return expectations for each asset category and a weighted-average
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expected long-term rate of return for a target portfolio allocated across these investment categories. The expected portfolio performance reflects the contribution of active management as appropriate.
Stock-Based Compensation
We expense all stock-based payment awards to employees, including grants of stock options, over the requisite service period based on the grant date fair value of the awards. The fair value of certain stock-based awards is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model which uses both historical and current market data to estimate the fair value. This method incorporates various assumptions such as the risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, expected dividend yield and expected life of the options.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 2 “Summary of Accounting Policies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001628280-24-006733.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We make statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and we may from time to time make other written reports and oral statements, regarding our outlook or expectations for financial, business or strategic matters regarding or affecting us that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, all of which are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties which change over time and may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. One can identify these forward-looking statements by their use of words such as "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "will," "estimates," "forecasts," "projects," "believes," "would," "potentially," "intends," "seeks," and other words of similar meaning, or negative variations of any of the foregoing. One can also identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to our growth and acquisition strategies, financial results, product development, product approvals, product potential and development programs. One must carefully consider any such statement and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. These factors may be based on inaccurate assumptions and are subject to a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. The factors described in Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors of this report or otherwise described in our filings with the SEC, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:
•expanded brand and class competition in the markets in which we operate;
•difficulties with performance of third parties we rely on for our business growth;
•the failure of any supplier to provide substances, materials, or services as agreed;
•the increased cost of supply, manufacturing, packaging, and operations;
•difficulties developing and sustaining relationships with commercial counterparties;
•competition from generic products as our products lose patent protection;
•any failure by us to obtain an additional period of market exclusivity in the United States for Nexplanon subsequent to the expiration of certain key patents in 2027;
•difficulties and uncertainties inherent in the implementation of our acquisition strategy or failure to recognize the benefits of such acquisitions;
•pricing pressures globally, including rules and practices of managed care groups, judicial decisions and governmental laws and regulations related to Medicare, Medicaid and health care reform, pharmaceutical reimbursement and pricing in general;
•the impact of higher selling and promotional costs;
•changes in government laws and regulations in the United States and other jurisdictions, including laws and regulations governing the research, development, approval, clearance, manufacturing, supply, distribution, and/or marketing of our products and related intellectual property, environmental regulations, and the enforcement thereof affecting our business;
•efficacy, safety or other quality concerns with respect to our marketed products, whether or not scientifically justified, leading to product recalls, withdrawals or declining sales;
•delays or failures to demonstrate adequate efficacy and safety of our product candidates in pre-clinical and clinical trials, which may prevent or delay the development, approval, clearance, or commercialization of our product candidates;
•future actions of third-parties, including significant changes in customer relationships or changes in the behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services, including delaying medical procedures, rationing prescription medications, reducing the frequency of physician visits and forgoing health care insurance coverage;
•legal factors, including product liability claims, antitrust litigation and governmental investigations, including tax disputes, environmental claims and patent disputes with branded and generic competitors, any of which could preclude commercialization of products or negatively affect the profitability of existing products;
•lost market opportunity resulting from delays and uncertainties in clinical trials and the approval or clearance process of the U.S. FDA and other regulatory authorities;
•cyberattacks on, or other failures, accidents, or security breaches of, our or third-party providers' information technology systems, which could disrupt our operations;
•increased focus on privacy issues in countries around the world, including the United States, the EU, and China, and a more difficult legislative and regulatory landscape for privacy and data protection that continues to evolve with the potential to directly affect our business, including recently enacted laws in a majority of states in the United States requiring security breach notification;
•changes in tax laws including changes related to the taxation of foreign earnings;
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•the impact of any future pandemic, epidemic, or similar public health threat on our business, operations and financial performance;
•loss of key employees or inability to identify and recruit new employees;
•changes in accounting pronouncements promulgated by standard-setting or regulatory bodies, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC, that are adverse to us; and
•economic factors over which we have no control, including changes in inflation, interest rates, recessionary pressures, and foreign currency exchange rates.
It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, one should not consider the above list or any other such list to be a complete statement of all potential risks or uncertainties. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as otherwise may be required by law.
General
The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to assist the reader in understanding our financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to enhance the understanding of our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Additionally, this section should be read in connection with Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC and available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, which includes a discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
We are a global health care company with a focus on improving the health of women throughout their lives. We develop and deliver innovative health solutions through a portfolio of prescription therapies and medical devices within women's health, biosimilars and established brands. We have a portfolio of more than 60 medicines and products across a range of therapeutic areas. We sell these products through various channels including drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies and managed health care providers such as health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and other institutions. We operate six manufacturing facilities, which are located in Belgium, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Unless otherwise indicated, trademarks appearing in italics throughout this document are trademarks of, or are used under license by our companies.
Key Trends Affecting Our Results of Operations
•Generic Competition: The majority of our established brands products are beyond market exclusivity. However, these products continue to represent a valuable opportunity arising from long-term sustainable revenue streams and well-established supply chains that together generate significant operating profit relative to low promotional and development expenses. In addition, Nexplanon may be eligible for an additional three years of market exclusivity in the United States subsequent to the expiration of certain key patents in 2027, although there can be no assurance that such an additional term will be granted.
•Historical Shift Towards Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives: Daily contraceptive pills are by far the largest contraception market segment, with almost half of all women choosing a hormonal contraceptive electing this particular method. However, the Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives ("LARC") market segment, which includes Nexplanon, has experienced significant growth in the decade from 2010 through to 2019, driven by a significant shift away from daily oral contraception to LARC. This was driven by payors, providers and patients looking for options beyond commonly used daily contraceptive pills. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the LARC segment during 2020 and 2021 due to clinic closures and the postponement of non-essential medical procedures during country lockdowns. The LARC segment began to rebound in 2021 and 2022, during months when clinic restrictions were removed. The LARC market is expected to continue to be an important and large segment of the overall contraception market as payors, providers and patients consider the benefits of long acting and highly effective options including Nexplanon.
•Increased Access to Fertility Solutions: With the global trend toward declining birthrates, governments and payors are implementing favorable policies across major markets that, in turn, improve access to care and drives growth for infertility therapies.
•Growing Acceptance of Biosimilars: Biologics continue to experience strong growth trends. Given the high cost of many of these biologics treatments, biosimilars are a more affordable alternative and represent a significant opportunity for patients, providers, and payors once a biologics product loses patent protection. Moreover, a
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significant number of biologics are expected to lose exclusivity over the next decade, representing a large opportunity for more biosimilar approvals.
•Increased Competitive Pressures: The markets in which we conduct our business and the pharmaceutical industry in general are highly competitive and highly regulated. Our competitors include other worldwide research-based pharmaceutical companies, smaller research companies with more limited therapeutic focus and generic drug manufacturers.
Recent Developments
Business Development
Eli Lilly ("Lilly")
In December 2023, we announced an agreement with Lilly to become the sole distributor and promoter of the migraine medicines Emgality and Rayvow in Europe. Lilly will remain the marketing authorization holder and will manufacture the products for sale. Under the terms of the agreement, we paid an upfront payment of $50 million, upon closing of the transaction in January 2024, and will pay sales-based milestone payments. The upfront payment and certain sales-based milestone payments, which were deemed probable of being achieved, are recognized as an intangible asset in the first quarter of 2024.
Claria Medical, Inc. ("Claria")
In January 2023, we made a strategic investment in Claria, a privately-held company developing an investigational medical device being studied for use during minimally invasive laparoscopic hysterectomy. Under the terms of the agreement, we paid $8 million upfront and have the option to acquire Claria for an additional $47 million, payable if and when the option is exercised. The $8 million was expensed as Acquired in-process research and development and milestones in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2023.
COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 related disruptions, including patients' inability to access health care providers, negatively affected our results during 2022 and the first half of 2023, specifically, in China. The China economy has had a slower recovery from COVID-19 and this, coupled with healthcare budget deficits, has created cost containment measures post-COVID that have primarily impacted our retail business, and to a lesser extent has impacted the hospital side.
Operating Results
Sales Overview
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 1,478 | $ | 1,437 | $ | 1,383 | 3 | % | 3 | % | 4 | % | 4 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| International | 4,785 | 4,737 | 4,921 | 1 | 4 | (4) | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 6,263 | $ | 6,174 | $ | 6,304 | 1 | % | 3 | % | (2) | % | 4 | % |
Worldwide sales were $6.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of 1% compared with 2022. Worldwide sales were negatively impacted by approximately 2%, or $117 million, due to unfavorable foreign exchange. Excluding foreign exchange, sales increases primarily reflect the performance of; Atozet due to increased demand in various international markets; Renflexis driven primarily by continued patient growth in the United States and Canada; Follistim AQ due to a one-time buy-in as a result of the exit of the IOM in the United States, increased patient demand in the United States and volume recovery in China related to the COVID-19 negative impact during the first half of the year; Ontruzant driven by the timing of tenders and increased demand; Jada due to continued uptake in the United States following the launch; and Marvelon and Mercilon, resulting from the transaction with Bayer Healthcare where we gained rights in China during the second quarter of 2022 and in Vietnam during the third quarter of 2022. This performance was offset by: decreased sales of Zetia and Vytorin driven by the negative impact of VBP in China; the impact of the Diprospan regulatory inspection finding at the Heist manufacturing location
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that impacted the manufacturing of selected injectable steroid brands in the first quarter of 2023 (the "Market Action"); and decreased sales of Cozaar and Hyzaar (a combination of losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide that is marketed in Japan as Preminent™), primarily due to ongoing generic competition.
The loss of exclusivity negatively impacted sales of certain of our products by approximately $18 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, due to the decrease in volume period over period, which mainly impacted NuvaRing in the United States. VBP in China had a $95 million negative impact on our sales during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. We expect VBP to impact our established brands product portfolio for the next several quarters.
Our operations include a portfolio of products. Highlights of the sales of our products for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are provided below. See Note 6 "Product and Geographic Information" to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on sales of our products.
Women's Health
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nexplanon/Implanon NXT | $ | 830 | $ | 834 | $ | 769 | (1) | % | 1 | % | 8 | % | 11 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| NuvaRing | 152 | 173 | 191 | (12) | (11) | (9) | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marvelon/Mercilon | 134 | 110 | 98 | 22 | 24 | 12 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Follistim AQ | 262 | 229 | 237 | 14 | 16 | (3) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ganirelix acetate injection | 110 | 123 | 111 | (10) | (8) | 11 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jada | 43 | 20 | 3 | 113 | 113 | * | * |
Contraception
Worldwide sales of Nexplanon, a single-rod subdermal contraceptive implant, declined 1% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange, unfavorable discount rates, the result of distributor purchasing patterns associated with the timing of the increase in Nexplanon list price in the United States and the impact of the limited participation of a tender in Mexico. This was partially offset by price increases.
Worldwide sales of NuvaRing, a vaginal contraceptive product, declined 12% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, due to ongoing generic competition in the United States. We expect a continued decline in NuvaRing sales as a result of generic competition.
Worldwide sales of Marvelon and Mercilon, combined oral hormonal daily contraceptive pills not approved or marketed in the United States but available in certain countries outside the United States, increased 22% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, as a result of the transaction with Bayer Healthcare where we gained rights in China during the second quarter of 2022 and in Vietnam during the third quarter of 2022.
Fertility
Worldwide sales of Follistim AQ, a fertility treatment, increased 14% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, due to a one-time buy-in as a result of the exit of the IOM in the United States, increased patient demand in the United States and volume recovery in China related to the COVID-19 negative impact during the first half of the year. This was partially offset by the negative impact of unfavorable discount rates in the United States.
Worldwide sales of ganirelix acetate injection, a fertility treatment, declined 10% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, primarily due to unfavorable discount rates in the United States and increased generic competition in Europe.
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Other Women's Health
Worldwide sales of Jada, a device intended to provide control and treatment of abnormal postpartum uterine bleeding or hemorrhage when conservative management is warranted, increased 113% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022. The sales increase is due to continued uptake in the United States following the Jada launch in early 2022.
Biosimilars
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Renflexis | $ | 278 | $ | 226 | $ | 186 | 23 | % | 24 | % | 21 | % | 22 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Ontruzant | 155 | 122 | 126 | 28 | 27 | (4) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brenzys | 73 | 75 | 63 | (2) | 1 | 19 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hadlima | 44 | 19 | 13 | 125 | 130 | 51 | 57 |
Renflexis is a biosimilar to Remicade (infliximab) for the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases. Sales increased 23% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, driven primarily by continued demand growth in the United States and Canada. We have commercialization rights to Renflexis in countries outside Europe, Korea, China, Turkey, and Russia.
Ontruzant is a biosimilar to Herceptin (trastuzumab) for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer and HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Sales for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, increased 28% driven by the timing of tenders in Brazil and increased demand partially offset by the competitive pressures in Europe. We have commercialization rights to Ontruzant in countries outside of Korea and China.
Brenzys is a biosimilar to Enbrel (etanercept) for the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases. Sales in the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, remained substantially consistent. We have commercialization rights to Brenzys in countries outside of the United States, Europe, Korea, China, and Japan.
Hadlima is a biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab) for the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases. We have commercialization rights to Hadlima in countries outside of the EU, Korea, China, Turkey, and Russia. We recorded sales of $44 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, reflecting an increase from modest sales during 2022 in markets outside of the United States and the launch in the United States in July 2023. Hadlima is currently approved in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Israel.
Established Brands
Established brands represents a broad portfolio of well-known brands, which generally are beyond market exclusivity, including leading brands in cardiovascular, respiratory, dermatology and non-opioid pain management, for which generic competition varies by market.
Cardiovascular
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zetia/Vytorin | $ | 436 | $ | 488 | $ | 542 | (11) | % | (9) | % | (10) | % | (3) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Atozet | 519 | 457 | 458 | 14 | 13 | — | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cozaar/Hyzaar | 281 | 323 | 357 | (13) | (9) | (10) | (3) |
Combined global sales of Zetia and Vytorin, medicines for lowering LDL cholesterol, declined 11% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, primarily driven by the negative impact of VBP in China.
Sales of Atozet, a medicine for lowering LDL cholesterol, increased 14% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, primarily due to increased demand in various international markets.
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Combined global sales of Cozaar and Hyzaar, medicines for the treatment of hypertension, declined 13% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, primarily due to ongoing generic competition.
Respiratory
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Singulair | $ | 404 | $ | 411 | $ | 413 | (2) | % | 3 | % | (1) | % | 9 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Nasonex | 253 | 238 | 206 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dulera | 194 | 180 | 190 | 8 | 9 | (5) | (5) |
Worldwide sales of Singulair, a once-a-day oral medicine for the chronic treatment of asthma and for the relief of symptoms of allergic rhinitis, declined 2% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, due to the impact of foreign exchange partially offset by increased demand due to higher incidences of respiratory conditions across many international markets during the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 2022.
Global sales of Nasonex, an inhaled nasal corticosteroid for the treatment of nasal allergy symptoms, increased 6% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, due to increased demand across several markets partially offset by a $10 million milestone related to a regulatory approval received during the first quarter of 2022.
Global sales of Dulera, a combination medicine for the treatment of asthma, increased 8% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, primarily due to the favorable impact from price and increased demand in the United States.
Non-Opioid Pain, Bone and Dermatology
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arcoxia | $ | 257 | $ | 241 | $ | 244 | 7 | % | 12 | % | (1) | % | 4 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Diprospan | 91 | 122 | 125 | (25) | (22) | (3) | % | 2 | % |
Sales of Arcoxia, a medicine for the treatment of arthritis and pain, increased 7% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, primarily due to customers buying patterns and higher demand in various international markets.
Sales of Diprospan, a corticosteroid approved for treatment of a wide range of inflammatory conditions, declined 25% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, due to manufacturing issues resulting from the Market Action. In the first quarter of 2023, we resolved the regulatory inspection findings. Sales have not yet recovered. We expect the sales recovery to continue over the next twelve months.
Other
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proscar | $ | 97 | $ | 101 | $ | 117 | (3) | % | 1 | % | (14) | % | (9) | % |
Worldwide sales of Proscar, a medicine for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostate enlargement, for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022 were substantially consistent.
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Costs, Expenses and Other
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 | 2022 vs. 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 2,515 | $ | 2,294 | $ | 2,382 | 10 | % | (4) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,893 | 1,704 | 1,668 | 11 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 528 | 471 | 339 | 12 | 39 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Acquired in-process research and development and milestones | 8 | 107 | 104 | (93) | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs | 62 | 28 | 3 | * | * | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 527 | 422 | 258 | 25 | 64 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange losses | 42 | 11 | 4 | * | * | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other expense, net | 15 | 15 | 17 | — | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 5,590 | $ | 5,052 | $ | 4,775 | 11 | % | 6 | % |
* Calculation not meaningful.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales increased 10% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, primarily due to foreign exchange translation, higher employee-related and material and distribution related costs, which increased as a result of inflationary pressures, and product mix. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded a $36 million inventory charge relating to the Market Action and an impairment charge of $9 million related to a product right for a biosimilar product. Cost of sales includes amortization of intangible assets which totaled $116 million in 2023, $116 million in 2022 and $103 million in 2021.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 11% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, due to higher employee-related costs, costs incurred in connection with the separation from Merck, which includes the implementation of the enterprise resource planning system, and the $80 million charge related to the Microspherix legal matter as discussed in Note 20. "Contingencies" to the Consolidated Financial Statements. This was partially offset by lower promotional expenses.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses increased 12% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, primarily due to higher costs associated with our acquisitions of clinical stage assets, increased clinical study activity and higher employee-related costs.
Acquired In-Process Research and Development and Milestones
For the year ended December 31, 2023, acquired in-process research and development and milestones of $8 million related to the Claria transaction. For the year ended December 31, 2022 acquired in-process research and development and milestones represents the upfront and development milestones related to our research collaboration and license agreement with Cirqle and our agreement with Henlius for the license of certain biosimilar candidates.
Restructuring Costs
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we incurred $62 million of headcount-related restructuring expense, of which $58 million is due to activities initiated in the fourth quarter related to the ongoing optimization of our internal operations.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased 25% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 2022, due to increased interest rates, and debt fees and discounts expensed as part of the prepayment on the U.S. Dollar-denominated term loan and the impact of exchange rates.
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Exchange Losses
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the change in exchange losses was driven by foreign currency exchange translation losses and the impact of the portion of Euro-denominated debt not designated as a net investment hedge in the prior year period.
Other Expense, net
For the year ended December 31, 2023, other expense, net, remained relatively consistent with the prior year.
Taxes on Income
The effective income tax rates were (52.2)% and 18.3% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These effective income tax rates reflect the beneficial impact of foreign earnings, offset by the impact of U.S. inclusions under the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income regime and a partial valuation allowance recorded against non-deductible U.S. interest expense. In the fourth quarter of 2023, we recorded a $476 million tax benefit comprised of a gross benefit of $686 million, net of a $210 million valuation allowance, resulting from the termination of a Swiss tax arrangement. Our valuation allowance was determined based on expected future income and the terms of the remaining tax arrangement.
On August 16, 2022, the United States enacted the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Provisions of the bill that relate to tax include the minimum tax on book income, a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks and certain tax incentives to promote clean energy. There are no impacts of the legislation to the 2023 results. We will continue to assess future impacts of this legislation.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $693 million. We have historically generated and expect to continue to generate positive cash flow from operations. Our ability to fund our operations and anticipated capital needs is reliant upon the generation of cash from operations, supplemented as necessary by periodic utilization of our Revolving Credit Facility. Our principal uses of cash in the future will be primarily to fund our operations, working capital needs, capital expenditures, repayment of borrowings, payment of dividends and strategic business development transactions. We believe that our financing arrangements, future cash from operations, and access to capital markets will provide adequate resources to fund our future cash flow needs.
Working capital was $1.6 billion and $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The increase in working capital was primarily driven by an increase in inventory and the timing of collection of receivables.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $799 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $858 million for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to the changes in working capital balances, offset by an increase in net income.
Net cash used in investing activities was $260 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $420 million for the same period in the prior year, primarily reflecting lower investment in business development transactions in the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year, partially offset by an increase in capital expenditures.
Net cash used in financing activities was $569 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $433 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase in cash used in financing activities was driven by the $250 million voluntary prepayment on the U.S. Dollar-denominated term loan in 2023 compared to the $100 million voluntary prepayment in 2022.
Capital expenditures were $251 million and $196 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Capital expenditures in 2023 and 2022 reflect investments in new capital projects focused primarily on establishing us as an independent Company. We estimate that we will continue to invest in new capital projects in 2024, for ongoing projects to stand up Organon, principally related to investments in information technology.
As part of our post-spinoff plan, we have approved an initiative to further optimize our manufacturing and supply network. As part of this initiative, we will continue to separate our supply chain through planned exits from supply agreements from Merck through 2031. This will enable us to redefine our appropriate sourcing strategy, and move to fit-for-purpose supply chains, while focusing on delivering efficiencies. We anticipate we will incur costs associated with this separation, including but not limited to accelerated depreciation, exit premiums and fees, technology transfer costs, stability and qualification batch costs, one-time resourcing costs, regulatory and filing costs, capital investment, and inventory stock bridges.
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For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, our combined revenues from Ukraine, Russia and Israel were approximately 2% of total revenues. While we will continue to monitor the impacts of the Ukraine-Russia war and the Hamas-Israel war, as of December 31, 2023, our assets in Ukraine, Russia and Israel are not material.
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2023, which require material cash requirements in the future, consist of contractual milestones, purchase obligations, lease obligations and the settlement of certain tax matters.
Contractual milestones are potential payments based upon the achievement of specified milestones associated with business development transactions. Such milestone payments will only be payable in the event that our collaborative partners achieve contractually defined success-based milestones such as the advancement of the specified research and development programs or the receipt of regulatory approval for the specified compounds or products and/or we reach a sales threshold of the specified compounds or products. The timing of the payments of the contractual milestones cannot be estimated and the likelihood of achieving the milestones cannot be determined. As of December 31, 2023, total potential payments due for contractual milestones are $1.9 billion. Potential amounts due within the next twelve months are $98 million.
Purchase obligations are enforceable and legally binding obligations for purchases of goods and services which include inventory purchase commitments. As of December 31, 2023, total payments due for purchase obligations are $1.2 billion and extend through 2031. Amounts due within the next twelve months are $376 million.
Long-term debt consists of both fixed and variable-rate instruments. As of December 31, 2023, total payments due for debt obligations are $8.8 billion and extend through 2031. Amounts due within the next twelve months are $9 million.
Lease obligations exclude reasonably certain lease renewals that have not yet been executed. As of December 31, 2023, total payments due for lease obligations are $189 million and extend through 2041. Amounts due within the next twelve months are $52 million.
During the 2024 fiscal year, we anticipate paying higher cash taxes than the 2023 fiscal year. In addition, we are responsible for settlement of certain tax matters, of which we expect to pay approximately $56 million within the next year.
During 2023, we paid cash dividends of $1.12 per share. On February 15, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.28 for each issued and outstanding share of our common stock. The dividend is payable on March 14, 2024, to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 26, 2024.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The audited annual consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP and, accordingly, include certain amounts that are based on management's best estimates and judgments. A discussion of accounting estimates considered critical because of the potential for a significant impact on the financial statements due to the inherent uncertainty in such estimates are disclosed below. Because of the uncertainty inherent in such estimates, actual results may differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Our accounting policy for revenue recognition has a substantial impact on reported results and relies on certain estimates. Revenue is recognized following a five-step model: (i) identify the customer contract; (ii) identify the contract's performance obligation; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligation; and (v) recognize revenue when or as a performance obligation is satisfied. Revenue is reduced for gross-to-net sales adjustments discussed below, all of which involve significant estimates and judgment after considering applicable laws and regulations and definitive contractual agreements with private sector and public sector benefit providers. These types of variable consideration are estimated at the time of sale generally using the expected value method, although the most likely amount method is used for prompt pay discounts. In addition, revenues are recorded net of time value of money discounts if collection of accounts receivable is expected to be in excess of one year. Estimates are assessed each period and adjusted as required to revise information or actual experience.
In the United States, revenue is reduced by sales discounts issued to customers at the point-of-sale, through an intermediary wholesaler (known as chargebacks), or in the form of rebate amounts owed based upon definitive contractual agreements or
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legal requirements with private sector (Managed Care) and public sector (Medicaid and Medicare Part D) customers. Additionally, sales are generally made with a limited right of return under certain conditions.
The provision for aggregate customer discounts in the United States covers chargebacks and rebates. We determine the provision for chargebacks based on expected sell-through levels by our wholesale customers to contracted customers, as well as estimated wholesaler inventory levels. The provision for rebates is based on expected patient usage, as well as inventory levels in the distribution channel to determine the contractual obligation to the benefit providers. We use historical customer segment utilization mix, sales, changes to product mix and price, inventory levels in the distribution channel, government pricing calculations and prior payment history in order to estimate the expected provision. Amounts accrued for aggregate customer discounts are evaluated on a quarterly basis through comparison of information provided by the wholesalers, health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, federal and state agencies, and other customers to the amounts accrued.
We continually monitor our provision for aggregate customer discounts. There were no material adjustments to estimates associated with the aggregate customer discount provision in 2023, 2022, or 2021.
Summarized information about changes in the aggregate customer discount accrual related to sales in the United States is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||
| Balance January 1 | $ | 385 | $ | 329 | $ | 343 | ||||
| Provision | 2,640 | 2,221 | 2,000 | |||||||
| Payments(1) | (2,521) | (2,165) | (2,014) | |||||||
| Balance December 31 | $ | 504 | $ | 385 | $ | 329 |
(1) Includes 2021 payments made by Merck on behalf of us for the period prior to the Separation date.
Accruals for chargebacks are reflected as a direct reduction to accounts receivable and accruals for rebates as current liabilities. The accrued balances relative to these provisions included in accounts receivable and accrued and other current liabilities were $87 million and $417 million, respectively, at December 31, 2023, $78 million and $307 million, respectively, at December 31, 2022 and $54 million and $275 million, respectively, at December 31, 2021. The increase in accrued rebates in 2023 is attributable to a wholesaler buy-in in conjunction with the exit of the IOM with Merck for the Follistim product.
Outside of the United States, variable consideration in the form of discounts and rebates is a combination of commercially-driven discounts in highly competitive product classes, discounts required to gain or maintain reimbursement, or legislatively mandated rebates. In certain European countries, legislatively mandated rebates are calculated based on an estimate of the government's total unbudgeted spending and our specific payback obligation. Rebates may also be required based on specific product sales thresholds. We apply an estimated factor against our actual invoiced sales to represent the expected level of future discount or rebate obligations associated with the sale.
We maintain a returns policy that allows our customers in certain countries to return product within a specified period prior to and subsequent to the expiration date (generally, three to six months before and 12 months after product expiration). The estimate of the provision for returns is based upon historical experience with actual returns. Additionally, we consider factors such as levels of inventory in the distribution channel, product dating and expiration period, whether products have been discontinued, entrance in the market of generic competition, changes in formularies or launch of over-the-counter products, among others.
See Note 3 "Summary of Accounting Policies" to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report for additional details on our revenue recognition policy.
Contingencies and Environmental Liabilities
We are involved in various claims and legal proceedings of a nature considered normal to our business, including product liability, intellectual property, and commercial litigation, as well as certain additional matters including governmental and environmental matters. See Note 20 "Contingencies" to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report. We record accruals for contingencies when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
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Legal defense costs expected to be incurred in connection with a loss contingency are accrued when probable and reasonably estimable.
We believe that there are no compliance issues associated with applicable environmental laws and regulations that would have a material adverse effect on us. Expenditures for remediation and environmental liabilities were $2 million in 2023, and are estimated at $15 million in the aggregate for the years 2024 through 2028. Liabilities for all environmental matters that are probable and reasonably estimable have been accrued and totaled $19 million and $20 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These liabilities are undiscounted, do not consider potential recoveries from other parties and will be paid out over the periods of remediation for the applicable sites, which are expected to occur primarily over the next 15 years. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these matters, or the ultimate costs of remediation, we do not believe that any reasonably possible expenditures that may be incurred in excess of the liabilities accrued should exceed $24 million in the aggregate. We also do not believe that these expenditures should result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity for any year.
Impairments of Long-Lived Assets
We assess changes in economic, regulatory and legal conditions and make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows in evaluating the value of our property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets. The judgments made in evaluating impairment of long-lived intangibles can materially affect our results of operations.
We periodically evaluate whether current facts or circumstances indicate that the carrying values of our long-lived assets to be held and used may not be recoverable. If such circumstances are determined to exist, an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows of these assets, or appropriate asset groupings, is compared to the carrying value to determine whether an impairment exists. If the asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured based on the difference between the asset's fair value and its carrying value. If quoted market prices are not available, we estimate fair value using a discounted value of estimated future cash flows approach.
Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment as of October 1 each year, or more frequently if impairment indicators exist, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that fair value is less than carrying value. Some of the factors considered in the assessment include general macroeconomic conditions, conditions specific to the industry and market, cost factors which could have a significant effect on earnings or cash flows, and overall financial performance. If we conclude it is more likely than not that fair value is less than carrying value, a quantitative fair value test is performed. If carrying value is greater than fair value, a goodwill impairment charge will be recorded for the difference (up to the carrying value of goodwill). We completed the annual qualitative goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2023 and concluded that there was no impairment to goodwill as the fair value of the reporting unit was significantly in excess of the carrying value.
Acquired intangible assets are initially recorded at fair value, assigned an estimated useful life, and amortized primarily on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. When events or circumstances warrant a review, we will assess recoverability from future operations using pretax undiscounted cash flows derived from the lowest appropriate asset groupings. Potential risks leading to impairment could include loss of exclusivity occurring earlier than expected, competition, pricing reductions, and other macroeconomic changes. Impairments are recognized in operating results to the extent that the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, which is determined based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows. We did not have impairment charges as of December 31, 2023. We recorded impairment charges of $9 million and $7 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 respectively. See Note 13 "Intangibles" to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report for additional details on Intangibles.
Taxes on Income
Deferred taxes are recognized for the future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting based on enacted tax laws and rates. We establish valuation allowances for our deferred tax assets when the amount of expected future income is not likely to support the use of the deduction or credit. We evaluate tax positions to determine whether the benefits of tax positions are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit based on the technical merits of the tax position. For tax positions that are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, we recognize the largest amount of the benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement in the financial statements. For tax positions that are not more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, we do not recognize any portion of the benefit in the financial statements. We recognize interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of Taxes on Income in the consolidated statement of income.
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Prior to the Separation, income tax expense and deferred tax balances in the consolidated financial statements were calculated on a separate tax return basis. We relied on certain assumptions, one of them that on a standalone basis we would not benefit from certain tax incentives that historically benefited Merck. We believe the assumptions supporting the allocation and presentation of income taxes on a separate return basis were reasonable.
Inventory Valuation
Inventories consist of currently marketed products and are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventories are assessed regularly for impairment and valuation reserves are established when necessary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, product obsolescence and changes in estimates of future product demand and expiry. The determination of events and the assumptions utilized in our quantification of valuation reserves may require judgment. No material adjustments have been required to our inventory reserve estimates for the periods presented. Adverse changes in assumptions utilized in our inventory reserve calculations could result in an increase to our inventory valuation reserves and higher cost of sales.
Acquisitions
Business combinations are evaluated in order to determine whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. We make certain judgments, which include assessment of the inputs, processes, and outputs associated with the acquired set of activities. If we determine that substantially all of the fair value of gross assets included in a transaction is concentrated in a single asset (or a group of similar assets), we account for the transaction as an asset acquisition. In an asset acquisition, acquired IPR&D with no alternative future use is charged to expense and contingent consideration is not recognized at the acquisition date. Product development milestones are recognized upon achievement and sales-based milestones are recognized when the milestone is deemed probable of being achieved.
To be considered a business, the assets in a transaction need to include an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. Businesses acquired are consolidated upon obtaining control. The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recognized at the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies are generally recognized at fair value. If fair value cannot be determined, the asset or liability is recognized if probable and reasonably estimable; if these criteria are not met, no asset or liability is recognized. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recognized as goodwill. Business acquisition costs are expensed when incurred.
The fair values of intangible assets are determined utilizing information available near the acquisition date based on expectations and assumptions that we deem reasonable.
Pension
Our pension plans are calculated using actuarial assumptions including a discount rate for plan benefit obligations and an expected rate of return on plan assets. These significant assumptions are reviewed annually and are disclosed in Note 15 "Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans" to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
For our pension plans, the discount rate is evaluated on measurement dates to reflect the prevailing market rate of a portfolio of high-quality fixed-income debt instruments that would provide the future cash flows needed to pay the benefits included in the benefit obligation as they come due.
The expected rate of return for the pension plans represents the average rate of return to be earned on plan assets over the period the benefits included in the benefit obligation are to be paid. In developing the expected rate of return, we consider long-term compound annualized returns of historical market data, current market conditions and actual returns on our plan assets. Using this reference information, we develop forward-looking return expectations for each asset category and a weighted-average expected long-term rate of return for a target portfolio allocated across these investment categories. The expected portfolio performance reflects the contribution of active management as appropriate.
Stock-Based Compensation
We expense all stock-based payment awards to employees, including grants of stock options, over the requisite service period based on the grant date fair value of the awards. The fair value of certain stock-based awards is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model which uses both historical and current market data to estimate the fair value. This method
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incorporates various assumptions such as the risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, expected dividend yield and expected life of the options.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 3 "Summary of Accounting Policies" to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001821825-23-000003.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Organon makes statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and Organon may from time to time make other written reports and oral statements, regarding its outlook or expectations for financial, business or strategic matters regarding or affecting Organon that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, all of which are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties which change over time and may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. One can identify these forward-looking statements by their use of words such as "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "will," "estimates," "forecasts," "projects" and other words of similar meaning, or negative variations of any of the foregoing. One can also identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Organon's growth and acquisition strategies, financial results, product development, product approvals, product potential and development programs. One must carefully consider any such statement and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from Organon's forward-looking statements. These factors may be based on inaccurate assumptions and are subject to a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. The factors described in Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors of this report or otherwise described in Organon's filings with the SEC, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause Organon's actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in its forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:
•expanded brand and class competition in the markets in which Organon operates;
•difficulties with performance of third parties Organon relies on for its business growth;
•the failure of any supplier to provide substances, materials, or services as agreed;
•the increased cost of supply, manufacturing, packaging, and operations;
•difficulties developing and sustaining relationships with commercial counterparties;
•competition from generic products as Organon's products lose patent protection;
•difficulties and uncertainties inherent in the implementation of Organon's acquisition strategy or failure to recognize the benefits of such acquisitions;
•pricing pressures globally, including rules and practices of managed care groups, judicial decisions and governmental laws and regulations related to Medicare, Medicaid and health care reform, pharmaceutical reimbursement and pricing in general;
•the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic and any future pandemic, epidemic, or similar public health threat on Organon's business, operations and financial performance;
•changes in government laws and regulations in the United States and other jurisdictions, including laws and regulations governing the research, development, approval, clearance, manufacturing, supply, distribution, and/or marketing of Organon's products and related intellectual property, environmental regulations, and the enforcement thereof affecting Organon's business;
•efficacy, safety or other quality concerns with respect to marketed products, whether or not scientifically justified, leading to product recalls, withdrawals or declining sales;
•delays or failures to demonstrate adequate efficacy and safety of Organon's product candidates in pre-clinical and clinical trials, which may prevent or delay the development, approval, clearance, or commercialization of Organon's product candidates;
•future actions of third-parties, including significant changes in customer relationships or changes in the behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services, including delaying medical procedures, rationing prescription medications, reducing the frequency of physician visits and forgoing health care insurance coverage;
•legal factors, including product liability claims, antitrust litigation and governmental investigations, including tax disputes, environmental claims and patent disputes with branded and generic competitors, any of which could preclude commercialization of products or negatively affect the profitability of existing products;
•lost market opportunity resulting from delays and uncertainties in clinical trials and the approval or clearance process of the U.S. FDA and other regulatory authorities;
•cyberattacks on, or other failures, accidents, or security breaches of, Organon's or third-party providers' information technology systems, which could disrupt Organon's operations;
•increased focus on privacy issues in countries around the world, including the United States, the European Union, and China, and a more difficult legislative and regulatory landscape for privacy and data protection that continues to evolve with the potential to directly affect Organon's business, including recently enacted laws in a majority of states in the United States requiring security breach notification;
•changes in tax laws including changes related to the taxation of foreign earnings;
•loss of key employees or inability to identify and recruit new employees;
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•changes in accounting pronouncements promulgated by standard-setting or regulatory bodies, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC, that are adverse to Organon; and
•economic factors over which Organon has no control, including changes in inflation, interest rates, recessionary pressures, and foreign currency exchange rates.
It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, one should not consider the above list or any other such list to be a complete statement of all potential risks or uncertainties. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Organon undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as otherwise may be required by law.
General
The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to assist the reader in understanding the Company's financial condition and results of operations and should be read in connection with Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. This section generally discusses our financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to enhance the understanding of our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. For a discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, please refer to Part II — Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
Organon & Co. ("Organon" or the "Company") is a global health care company with a focus on improving the health of women throughout their lives. Organon develops and delivers innovative health solutions through a portfolio of prescription therapies within women's health, biosimilars and established brands (the "Organon Products"). Organon has a portfolio of more than 60 medicines and products across a range of therapeutic areas. The Company sells these products through various channels including drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies and managed health care providers such as health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and other institutions. The Company operates six manufacturing facilities, which are located in Belgium, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Unless otherwise indicated, trademarks appearing in italics throughout this document are trademarks of, or are used under license by, the Organon group of companies.
Separation from Merck
On June 2, 2021, Organon and Merck & Co. ("Merck") entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement (the "Separation and Distribution Agreement"). Pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Merck agreed to spin off the Organon Products into Organon, a new, publicly traded company (the "Separation"). The Separation from Merck was completed on June 2, 2021, in which Organon's Common Stock was distributed to all holders of outstanding shares of Merck Common Stock as of the close of business on May 17, 2021 (the "Record Date"). For each share of Merck Common Stock held, such holder received one tenth of one share of Common Stock, and holders received cash in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock they otherwise would have been entitled to receive in connection with the Distribution. As a result, Organon became a standalone publicly traded company and on June 3, 2021 regular-way trading of the Common Stock commenced on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "OGN." Until the Separation on June 2, 2021, Organon's historical combined financial statements were prepared on a standalone basis and were derived from Merck's consolidated financial statements and accounting records.
For the period subsequent to June 2, 2021, as a standalone publicly traded company, Organon presents its financial statements on a consolidated basis. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The Separation was completed pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement and other agreements with Merck related to the Separation, including, but not limited to, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement and a transition services agreement. See Part II, Item 8. Note 1 "Background and Nature of Operations" and Note 18 "Third-Party Arrangements and Related Party Disclosures" to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report for additional details.
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Key Trends Affecting Our Results of Operations
•Generic Competition: The majority of our established brands products are beyond market exclusivity. However, these products continue to represent a valuable opportunity arising from long-term sustainable revenue streams and well-established supply chains that together generate significant operating profit relative to low promotional and development expenses.
•Historical Shift Towards Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives: Daily contraceptive pills are by far the largest contraception market segment, with almost half of all women choosing a hormonal contraceptive choosing this particular method. However, the Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives ("LARC") market segment, which includes Nexplanon, has experienced significant growth in the decade from 2010 through to 2019, driven by a significant shift away from daily oral contraception to LARC. This was driven by payors, providers and patients looking for options beyond commonly used daily contraceptive pills. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the LARC segment during 2021 and 2020 due to clinic closures and the postponement of non-essential medical procedures during country lockdowns. The LARC segment growth did begin to rebound in 2022 during months when clinic restrictions were removed. The LARC market is expected to continue to be an important and large segment of the overall contraception market as payors, providers and patients consider the benefits of long acting and highly effective options including Nexplanon.
•Increased Access to Fertility Solutions: We believe governments and payors are implementing favorable policies across major markets that, in turn, drive growth in the market for women's health therapies. For example, in the United States, there has been an increase in fertility insurance mandates and employer coverage, albeit subject to certain exemptions.
•Growing Acceptance of Biosimilars: Biologics continue to experience strong growth trends. Given the high cost of many of these biologics treatments, biosimilars are a more affordable alternative and represent a significant opportunity for patients, providers, and payors once a biologics product loses patent protection. Moreover, a significant number of biologics are expected to lose exclusivity over the next decade, representing a large opportunity for more biosimilar approvals.
•Increased Competitive Pressures: The markets in which we conduct our business and the pharmaceutical industry in general are highly competitive and highly regulated. Our competitors include other worldwide research-based pharmaceutical companies, smaller research companies with more limited therapeutic focus and generic drug manufacturers.
Recent Developments
Business Development
Claria Medical, Inc. ("Claria")
In January 2023, the Company made a strategic investment in Claria, a privately-held company developing an investigational medical device being studied for use during minimally invasive laparoscopic hysterectomy. Under the terms of the agreement, Organon paid $8 million upfront and has the option to acquire Claria for pre-defined terms at a later date. The upfront payment will be expensed as Acquired in-process research and development and milestones in our statement of income in the first quarter of 2023.
Cirqle Biomedical ("Cirqle")
In July 2022, the Company entered into a research collaboration and license agreement with Cirqle for a novel investigational non-hormonal, on-demand contraceptive candidate. Under the terms of the agreement, Cirqle is responsible for conducting preclinical studies according to the mutually agreed research plan. Organon obtained exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize the asset.
Under the terms of the research collaboration and license agreement, Organon recorded a $10 million upfront payment during 2022 as Acquired in-process research and development and milestones. Cirqle is eligible to receive potential regulatory and commercial milestone payments of up to $360 million and tiered royalties based on net sales. The remaining potential milestone payments will be recognized by Organon when achievement of the contractual milestones is probable.
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Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc. ("Henlius")
In June 2022, Organon and Henlius, a global biopharmaceutical company, entered into a definitive agreement whereby Organon is licensing commercialization rights for biosimilar candidates HLX11, referencing Perjeta, used for the treatment of certain patients with HER2+ breast cancer in combinations with trastuzumab and chemotherapy and HLX14, referencing Prolia/Xgeva, used for the treatment of certain patients with osteoporosis with high risk of fracture and for the prevention of skeletal-related events in patients with multiple myeloma and in patients with bone metastasis from solid tumors. Organon obtained exclusive global commercialization rights except for China; including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The agreement includes an option to negotiate an exclusive license for global commercialization rights for biosimilar candidate HLX13, referencing Yervoy used for the treatment of certain patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma, as adjuvant treatment of certain patients with cutaneous melanoma, certain patients with renal cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma and esophageal cancer.
Under the terms of the license agreement, Organon paid a $73 million upfront payment during 2022, of which $3 million was reflected in Other current assets and the remainder was recognized as Acquired in-process research and development and milestones. Henlius is eligible to receive potential developmental, regulatory and commercial milestone payments of up to $468 million. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company paid an additional $27 million related to certain development milestones which were recognized as Acquired in-process research and development and milestones. The remaining potential milestone payments will be recognized by Organon when achievement of the contractual milestones is probable. Henlius will be responsible for development and, if approved, will supply the products to Organon.
Daré Bioscience, Inc. ("Daré")
In March 2022, Organon and Daré, a leader in women's health innovation, entered into an agreement whereby Organon licensed the global commercial rights to Xaciato. Xaciato is an FDA-approved medication for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis ("BV") in females 12 years of age and older. Xaciato received both Qualified Infectious Disease Product ("QIDP") and Fast Track designations from the FDA for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis.
Under the terms of the license agreement, Organon paid a $10 million upfront payment during 2022. Daré is eligible to receive potential regulatory and commercial milestone payments of up to $182.5 million and tiered double-digit royalties based on net sales. Xaciato is expected to be available commercially in the U.S. in the first half of 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2022 management determined that the first commercial milestone was deemed probable of occurring, and recognized an intangible asset of $12.5 million reflecting the $10 million upfront payment and $2.5 million commercial milestone. The intangible asset will be amortized over its useful life of 12 years. The remaining potential milestone payments will be recognized by Organon when achievement of the contractual milestones is probable.
Bayer AG
In February 2022, Organon acquired the product rights and related inventory from Bayer AG to Marvelon and Mercilon, combined oral hormonal daily contraceptive pills, in China, including Hong Kong and Macau, and entered into an agreement to acquire the rights to these products in Vietnam. Marvelon and Mercilon are already owned, manufactured, and marketed by Organon as prescription oral contraceptives in 20 other markets. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition. In 2022, Organon paid $95 million to acquire the product rights and inventory in China and Vietnam. This resulted in Organon recognizing an intangible asset of $72 million in total related to the product rights with the remainder of the consideration recorded to Inventories for the fair value of acquired inventory during 2022. The intangible assets related to currently marketed products will be amortized over their estimated useful lives of 10 years.
COVID-19 Update
Organon remains focused on protecting the safety of its employees and supporting Organon's communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19-related disruptions, including patients' inability to access health care providers, prioritization of COVID-19 patients, as well as social distancing measures have negatively affected our results during 2021 and 2022.
Our product portfolio is comprised of physician prescribed products, mainly in established brands, which have been affected by social distancing measures and fewer medical visits. Additionally, our portfolio in women's health includes products that are physician administered, which have been affected by reduced access to physicians and health care centers. These impacts, as well as the prioritization of COVID-19 patients at health care providers, resulted in reduced administration of certain products within established brands particularly for respiratory and cardiovascular products and women's health products such as Nexplanon, as well as our fertility brands. During 2022, our business was impacted by lockdowns in selective cities across
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China, which have slowed down with recent policies in China to ease the zero COVID strategy.
We believe that global health systems and patients continue to adapt to the evolving impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the significant uncertainty that exists relative to the duration and overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic resulting from resurgences in COVID-19 infections or new strains of the virus, our future operating performance, particularly in the short-term, may be subject to volatility.
Operating Results
Sales Overview
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| United States | $ | 1,437 | $ | 1,383 | $ | 1,408 | 4 | % | 4 | % | (2) | % | (2) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| International | 4,737 | 4,921 | 5,124 | (4) | 4 | (4) | (8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 6,174 | $ | 6,304 | $ | 6,532 | (2) | % | 4 | % | (3) | % | (6) | % |
U.S. plus international may not equal total due to rounding.
Worldwide sales were $6.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of 2% compared with 2021. Worldwide sales were negatively impacted by approximately 6%, or $383 million, due to unfavorable foreign exchange. Excluding foreign exchange, sales increases primarily reflect strong performance of Nexplanon due to favorable pricing and demand uptake in the United States as well as volume growth across Brazil, Latin America and the institutional business in Africa and strong volume growth for products within the established brands business, particularly for respiratory products Nasonex and Singulair primarily in Japan and China. Worldwide sales also reflected strong performance in biosimilar products mainly in the United States, resulting from the continued uptake of Renflexis in the United States and the strong performance of cardiovascular products, primarily Atozet, due to increased demand in France and Spain. This performance was partially offset by declines due to the generic competition for women's health product NuvaRing and the authorized generic etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring in the United States and unfavorable discount rates and lower volume growth in the United States related to Dulera.
The loss of exclusivity ("LOE") negatively impacted sales by approximately $30 million during the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021, based on the decrease in volume period over period, mainly impacting NuvaRing in the United States. Volume-based procurement ("VBP") in China had a $20 million negative impact on sales during the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to the year ended December 31, 2021. Organon expects VBP to impact the Company's established brands product portfolio for the next several quarters.
Organon's operations include a portfolio of products. Highlights of the sales of Organon's products for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are provided below. See Note 17 "Product and Geographic Information" to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on sales of our products.
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Women's Health
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nexplanon/Implanon NXT | $ | 834 | $ | 769 | $ | 680 | 8 | % | 11 | % | 13 | % | 12 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| NuvaRing | 173 | 191 | 236 | (9) | (6) | (19) | (21) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marvelon/Mercilon | 110 | 98 | 95 | 12 | 20 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Follistim AQ | 229 | 237 | 193 | (3) | — | 23 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ganirelix Acetate Injection | 123 | 111 | 81 | 11 | 18 | 37 | 32 |
Contraception
Worldwide sales of Nexplanon, a single-rod subdermal contraceptive implant, increased 8% for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to the impact of favorable pricing and demand uptake in the United States, the favorable impact from the timing of tenders in Brazil and Latin America and volume growth from the institutional business in Africa.
Worldwide sales of NuvaRing, a vaginal contraceptive product, declined 9% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 2021, due to ongoing generic competition in the United States. We expect a continued decline in NuvaRing sales as a result of generic competition. In addition to sales of branded NuvaRing, we have an agreement with a generic manufacturer that authorizes the sale of a generic etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring in the United States. Under the terms of the agreement, we are reimbursed on a cost-plus basis by the generic manufacturer for supplying finished goods and receive a share of the net profits recorded by the generic manufacturer. Under the terms of the agreement, our share in the profits declines over time as new participants enter the market. Revenues from this arrangement were $46 million and $73 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decline in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022, is due to the entry of a new market participant.
Worldwide sales of Marvelon and Mercilon, combined oral hormonal daily contraceptive pills not approved or marketed in the United States but available in certain countries outside the United States, increased 12% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 2021 as a result of the recent transaction with Bayer Healthcare where Organon gained full rights in the China and Vietnam markets.
Fertility
Worldwide sales of Follistim AQ® (marketed in most countries outside the United States as Puregon), a fertility treatment, declined 3% for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 2021, as continuous demand growth in the United States and China was offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange and the negative impact of COVID in China.
Worldwide sales of Ganirelix Acetate Injection (marketed in certain countries outside the United States as Orgalutran), a fertility treatment, increased 11% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 2021, driven by demand uptake in the international markets.
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Biosimilars
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Renflexis | $ | 226 | $ | 186 | $ | 135 | 21 | % | 22 | % | 37 | % | 36 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Ontruzant | 122 | 126 | 115 | (4) | — | 10 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brenzys | 75 | 63 | 74 | 19 | 24 | (15) | (20) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hadlima | 19 | 13 | — | 51 | 57 | — | — |
Renflexis is a biosimilar to Remicade for the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases. Sales growth of 21% for the year ended December 31, 2022, was driven primarily by continued demand growth, favorable channel mix and favorable discount rates in the United States. We have commercialization rights to Renflexis in countries outside Europe, Korea, China, Turkey and Russia.
Ontruzant is a biosimilar to Herceptin for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer and HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. Sales in the year ended December 31, 2022 declined 4%, driven by the competitive pressures in Europe and the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange offset by the continued uptake in the United States since its launch in July 2020. We have commercialization rights to Ontruzant in countries outside of Korea and China.
Brenzys is a biosimilar to Enbrel for the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases. Sales in the year ended December 31, 2022 increased 19%, primarily driven by volume growth in Canada. We have commercialization rights to Brenzys in countries outside of the United States, Europe, Korea, China and Japan.
Hadlima is a biosimilar to Humira for the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases. We have worldwide commercialization rights to Hadlima in countries outside of the EU, Korea, China, Turkey and Russia. Samsung Bioepis reached a global settlement with AbbVie permitting us to launch Hadlima outside of the United States starting in 2021 and in the United States in June 2023. Hadlima is currently approved in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Israel. Hadlima was launched in Australia and Canada in February 2021. In August 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the citrate-free, high-concentration (100 mg/mL) formulation of Hadlima. We recorded sales of $19 million during the year ended December 31, 2022, reflecting an increase of 51% from modest sales during the year ended December 31, 2021 in markets outside of the US.
Established Brands
Established brands represents a broad portfolio of well-known brands, which generally are beyond market exclusivity, including leading brands in cardiovascular, respiratory, dermatology and non-opioid pain management, for which generic competition varies by market.
Cardiovascular
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Zetia/Vytorin | $ | 488 | $ | 542 | $ | 664 | (10) | % | (3) | % | (18) | % | (22) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Atozet | 457 | 458 | 453 | — | 11 | 1 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rosuzet | 71 | 68 | 130 | 5 | 23 | (48) | (47) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cozaar/Hyzaar | 323 | 357 | 386 | (10) | (3) | (7) | (11) |
Combined global sales of Zetia (marketed in most countries outside of the United States as Ezetrol) and Vytorin (marketed outside of the United States as Inegy), medicines for lowering LDL cholesterol, declined 10% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 2021, primarily driven by increased competition, lower performance in Europe, the impact of VBP in China and the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange offset by increased demand resulting from competitors' supply disruptions in Japan and growing demand in China across retail and public sectors.
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Sales of Atozet, a medicine for lowering LDL cholesterol, remained consistent for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 2021, primarily due to increased demand in France and Spain offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange.
Sales of Rosuzet, a medicine for lowering LDL cholesterol, increased 5% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 2021, primarily due to higher demand in Japan partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange.
Combined global sales of Cozaar, and Hyzaar (a combination of losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide that is marketed in Japan as Preminent™1), a medicine for the treatment of hypertension, declined 10% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 2021, primarily due to lower volume growth in Japan and China and the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange.
Respiratory
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Singulair | $ | 411 | $ | 413 | $ | 462 | (1) | % | 9 | % | (11) | % | (13) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Nasonex | 238 | 206 | 218 | 16 | 22 | (6) | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dulera | 180 | 190 | 222 | (5) | (5) | (15) | (16) |
Worldwide sales of Singulair, a once-a-day oral medicine for the chronic treatment of asthma and for the relief of symptoms of allergic rhinitis, declined 1% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 2021, primarily attributable the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange offset by volume recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and demand resulting from competitors' supply disruptions in Japan.
Global sales of Nasonex, an inhaled nasal corticosteroid for the treatment of nasal allergy symptoms, increased 16% during the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily driven by higher demand resulting from competitors' supply disruptions in Japan and increased demand across several markets, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange. In addition, sales during the year ended December 31, 2022 included a $10 million milestone payment related to a regulatory approval in the United States.
Global sales of Dulera, a combination medicine for the treatment of asthma, declined 5% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 2021, primarily due to lower volume growth in the United States.
Non-Opioid Pain, Bone and Dermatology
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arcoxia1 | $ | 241 | $ | 244 | $ | 258 | (1) | % | 4 | % | (5) | % | (8) | % |
Sales of Arcoxia, a medicine for the treatment of arthritis and pain, declined 1% during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to 2021, primarily due to the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange offset by higher demand in China and the South East Asia region.
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Other
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proscar | $ | 101 | $ | 117 | $ | 176 | (14) | % | (9) | % | (33) | % | (37) | % |
Worldwide sales of Proscar, a medicine for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostate enlargement, declined 14% for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 2021, primarily due to lower demand in China and the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange.
Costs, Expenses and Other
| Year Ended December 31, | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 vs. 2021 | 2021 vs. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | $ | 2,294 | $ | 2,382 | $ | 2,119 | (4) | % | 12 | % | |||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,704 | 1,668 | 1,356 | 2 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 471 | 339 | 210 | 39 | 61 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Acquired in-process research and development and milestones | 107 | 104 | — | 3 | * | ||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring costs | 28 | 3 | 60 | * | (95) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 422 | 258 | — | 64 | * | ||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange losses | 11 | 4 | 44 | * | (91) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other expense (income), net | 15 | 17 | (9) | (12) | * | ||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 5,052 | $ | 4,775 | $ | 3,780 | 6 | % | 26 | % |
* Calculation not meaningful.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales decreased 4% compared to the same period in 2021, primarily due to the impact of lower supply sales compared to the prior year, pre-spin allocated costs related to the Separation in the prior year and a $24 million charge pertaining to unavoidable losses associated with a long-term vendor supply contract incurred during the prior year, offset by inventory charges of $36 million relating to a regulatory inspection finding at the Heist manufacturing location which impacts selected injectable steroids brands. During the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded impairment charges of $9 million and $7 million, respectively, related to a product right for a biosimilar product. Cost of sales includes amortization of intangible assets which totaled $116 million in 2022, $103 million in 2021 and $86 million in 2020.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 2% for the year ended December 31, 2022 due to selling and promotional costs related to our women's health portfolio, including costs related to our recent acquisitions, partially offset by pre-spin allocated costs related to the Separation during the prior year which were not incurred during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses increased 39% for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to higher costs associated with the Company's recent acquisitions of clinical stage assets, increased clinical study activity and higher employee-related costs.
Acquired In-Process Research and Development and Milestones
For the year ended December 31, 2022 acquired in-process research and development and milestones of $107 million represent the upfront and development milestones related to the Cirqle and Henlius transactions. Acquired in-process research and development and milestones for the year ended December 31, 2021 of $104 million represents the upfront milestones related to
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the licensing agreement for the global development, manufacturing and commercial rights to ebopiprant (OBE022) (the "ebopiprant license") and the acquisition of Forendo Pharma.
Restructuring Costs
During the year end December 31, 2022, the Company initiated restructuring activities to optimize its internal operations. The restructuring charges primarily relate to targeted reduction in headcount in selective territories outside of the U.S. in our commercial organizations. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company incurred $28 million related to headcount related restructuring activities.
Interest Expense
For the year ended December 31, 2022, interest expense increased, due to the $9.5 billion of debt, which was incurred by the Company during the second quarter of 2021, increased interest rates and the impact of exchange rates.
Exchange Losses (Gains)
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the change in exchanges losses (gains) was driven by the exchange rate impact on the portion of Euro-denominated debt not designated as a net investment hedge and the fluctuations in foreign exchange.
Other expense (income), net
For the year ended December 31, 2022, other expense, net, remained relatively consistent with the prior year.
Taxes on Income
The effective income tax rates were 18.3% and 11.7% for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These effective income tax rates reflect the beneficial impact of foreign earnings, offset by the impact of U.S. inclusions under the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income regime. The effective income tax rate for the year ended 2021 also reflected a $75 million tax benefit relating to a portion of the non-U.S. step-up of tax basis, as well as the income tax benefit recognized in connection with the conclusion of the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") examination of Merck's 2015-2016 U.S. federal income tax returns. As a result of that examination conclusion, we reflected an allocation from Merck of $18 million in the Consolidated Financial Statements representing our portion of the payment made to the IRS. Our portion of reserves for unrecognized tax benefits for the years under examination exceeded the allocated adjustments relating to this examination period. Therefore, for the year ended December 31, 2021, we reflected a $29 million net tax benefit. This net benefit reflects reductions in reserves for unrecognized tax benefits and other related liabilities for tax positions relating to the years that were under examination.
On August 16, 2022, the U.S. enacted the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Provisions of the bill that relate to tax include the minimum tax on book income, a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks and certain tax incentives to promote clean energy. There are no impacts of the legislation to the 2022 results. The Company is currently assessing future impacts of this recently enacted legislation.
Income/Loss from Discontinued Operations
The historical results of certain Merck non-U.S. legal entities that were contributed to Organon in connection with the Separation included operations related to other Merck products that were retained by Merck. The Merck Retained Products business of the Transferred Entities were contributed by Organon to Merck and its affiliates. Accordingly, the historical results of operations of the Merck Retained Products have been reflected as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
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Analysis of Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2022, Organon had cash and cash equivalents of $706 million. On June 6, 2022, the Company made a discretionary prepayment of $100 million on the U.S. Dollar-denominated term loan. The Company has historically generated and expects to continue to generate positive cash flow from operations. We plan to continue to fund our ongoing operating, investing and financing requirements mainly through cash flows from operations, available liquidity through cash on hand, available capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility and access to capital markets.
Working capital was $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2022 and $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2021. The increase in working capital of continuing operations was primarily driven by a decrease in trade accounts payable.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $858 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $2.2 billion for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities in 2022 was primarily attributable to the decrease in trade payables, including balances with Merck.
Net cash used in investing activities was $420 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $481 million for the same period in the prior year, primarily reflecting the asset acquisition of Marvelon and Mercilon and licensing agreements with Daré, Henlius and Cirqle in the year ended December 31, 2022 and the asset acquisitions of Alydia Health and Forendo Pharma and the ebopiprant license in the year ended December 31, 2021.
Net cash used in financing activities was $433 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to $977 million for the same period in the prior year. The change in cash used in financing activities reflects the settlement of the transactions with Merck in connection with the Separation in 2021 and the prior year issuance of long term debt, partially offset by the payment of dividends in the current year.
Our ability to fund our operations and anticipated capital needs is reliant upon the generation of cash from operations, supplemented as necessary by periodic utilization of our Revolving Credit Facility. Our principal uses of cash in the future will be primarily to fund our operations, working capital needs, capital expenditures, repayment of borrowings, payment of dividends and strategic business development transactions.
Capital expenditures were $196 million and $192 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Capital expenditures in 2022 and 2021 reflect investments in new capital projects focused primarily on establishing Organon as an independent Company. We estimate that we will continue to invest in new capital projects in 2023, for ongoing projects to stand up Organon, principally related to investments in information technology.
In 2022, the armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia escalated, which may adversely impact Organon's business. Specifically, trade sanctions, travel bans and asset and financial freezes announced by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russian entities and designated individuals, as well as counter-measures announced by Russia, have impacted and may continue to impact many global businesses in direct and indirect ways (including, but not limited to, product shipping delays, supply shortages, delays in regulatory approvals and audits, constraints in energy supply, currency exchange rates and exchange controls). Such actions may negatively impact the financial institutions, vendors, manufacturers, suppliers, partners and other third parties with whom Organon conducts business. Organon will continue to monitor the impacts of the conflict, which may negatively impact Organon's operations, financial position or cash flows. For the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, Organon's combined revenues from Ukraine and Russia were approximately 2% of total revenues. As of December 31, 2022, the Company's assets in Ukraine and Russia are not material.
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2022, which require material cash requirements in the future, consist of contractual milestones, purchase obligations, lease obligations and the settlement of certain tax matters.
Contractual milestones are potential payments based upon the achievement of specified milestones associated with business development transactions. Such milestone payments will only be payable in the event that the Company achieves contractually defined, success-based milestones, such as the advancement of the specified research and development programs; the receipt of regulatory approval for the specified compounds or products; and/or reaching a sales threshold of the specified compounds or products. The timing of the payments of the contractual milestones cannot be estimated and the likelihood of achieving the
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milestones cannot be determined. As of December 31, 2022, total potential payments due for contractual milestones are $2.4 billion. Amounts due within the next twelve months are $38 million.
Purchase obligations are enforceable and legally binding obligations for purchases of goods and services which include inventory purchase commitments. As of December 31, 2022, total payments due for purchase obligations are $1.2 billion and extend through 2030. Amounts due within the next twelve months are $343 million.
Lease obligations exclude reasonably certain lease renewals that have not yet been executed. As of December 31, 2022, total payments due for lease obligations are $220 million and extend through 2041. Amounts due within the next twelve months are $56 million.
Organon is responsible for settlement of certain tax matters, of which the Company expects to pay approximately $19 million within the next year.
During 2022, Organon paid cash dividends of $1.12 per share. On February 16, 2023, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.28 for each issued and outstanding share of the Company's common stock. The dividend is payable on March 16, 2023 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 27, 2023.
We believe that our financing arrangements, future cash from operations, and access to capital markets will provide adequate resources to fund our future cash flow needs.
The economy of Turkey was deemed hyperinflationary during the second quarter of 2022. Consequently, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company began remeasuring its monetary assets and liabilities for those operations in earnings beginning in the second quarter of 2022. The impact to the Company's financial condition and results is immaterial.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The audited annual consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP and, accordingly, include certain amounts that are based on management's best estimates and judgments. A discussion of accounting estimates considered critical because of the potential for a significant impact on the financial statements due to the inherent uncertainty in such estimates are disclosed below. Because of the uncertainty inherent in such estimates, actual results may differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Our accounting policy for revenue recognition has a substantial impact on reported results and relies on certain estimates. Revenue is recognized following a five-step model: (i) identify the customer contract; (ii) identify the contract's performance obligation; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligation; and (v) recognize revenue when or as a performance obligation is satisfied. Revenue is reduced for gross-to-net sales adjustments discussed below, all of which involve significant estimates and judgment after considering applicable laws and regulations and definitive contractual agreements with private sector and public sector benefit providers. These types of variable consideration are estimated at the time of sale generally using the expected value method, although the most likely amount method is used for prompt pay discounts. In addition, revenues are recorded net of time value of money discounts if collection of accounts receivable is expected to be in excess of one year. Estimates are assessed each period and adjusted as required to revise information or actual experience.
In the United States, revenue is reduced by sales discounts issued to customers at the point-of-sale, through an intermediary wholesaler (known as chargebacks), or in the form of rebate amounts owed based upon definitive contractual agreements or legal requirements with private sector (Managed Care) and public sector (Medicaid and Medicare Part D customers). Additionally, sales are generally made with a limited right of return under certain conditions.
The provision for aggregate customer discounts in the United States covers chargebacks and rebates. We determine the provision for chargebacks based on expected sell-through levels by our wholesale customers to contracted customers, as well as estimated wholesaler inventory levels. The provision for rebates is based on expected patient usage, as well as inventory levels in the distribution channel to determine the contractual obligation to the benefit providers. We use historical customer segment utilization mix, sales, changes to product mix and price, inventory levels in the distribution channel, government pricing calculations and prior payment history in order to estimate the expected provision. Amounts accrued for aggregate customer discounts are evaluated on a quarterly basis through comparison of information provided by the wholesalers, health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, federal and state agencies, and other customers to the amounts accrued.
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We continually monitor our provision for aggregate customer discounts. There were no material adjustments to estimates associated with the aggregate customer discount provision in 2022, 2021, or 2020.
Summarized information about changes in the aggregate customer discount accrual related to sales in the United States is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ($ in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||
| Balance January 1 | $ | 329 | $ | 343 | $ | 365 | ||||
| Provision | 2,221 | 2,000 | 1,770 | |||||||
| Payments(1) | (2,165) | (2,014) | (1,792) | |||||||
| Balance December 31 | $ | 385 | $ | 329 | $ | 343 |
(1) Includes 2021 payments made by Merck on behalf of Organon for the period prior to the Separation date.
Accruals for chargebacks are reflected as a direct reduction to accounts receivable and accruals for rebates as current liabilities. The accrued balances relative to these provisions included in accounts receivable and accrued and other current liabilities were $78 million and $307 million, respectively, at December 31, 2022, $54 million and $275 million, respectively, at December 31, 2021 and $41 million and $302 million, respectively, at December 31, 2020.
Outside of the United States, variable consideration in the form of discounts and rebates are a combination of commercially-driven discounts in highly competitive product classes, discounts required to gain or maintain reimbursement, or legislatively mandated rebates. In certain European countries, legislatively mandated rebates are calculated based on an estimate of the government's total unbudgeted spending and our specific payback obligation. Rebates may also be required based on specific product sales thresholds. We apply an estimated factor against our actual invoiced sales to represent the expected level of future discount or rebate obligations associated with the sale.
We maintain a returns policy that allows our customers in certain countries to return product within a specified period prior to and subsequent to the expiration date (generally, three to six months before and 12 months after product expiration). The estimate of the provision for returns is based upon historical experience with actual returns. Additionally, we consider factors such as levels of inventory in the distribution channel, product dating and expiration period, whether products have been discontinued, entrance in the market of generic competition, changes in formularies or launch of over-the-counter products, among others.
See Note 3 "Summary of Accounting Policies" to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report for additional details on our revenue recognition policy.
Contingencies and Environmental Liabilities
We are involved in various claims and legal proceedings of a nature considered normal to our business, including product liability, intellectual property, and commercial litigation, as well as certain additional matters including governmental and environmental matters. See Note 12 "Contingencies" to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report. We record accruals for contingencies when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
Legal defense costs expected to be incurred in connection with a loss contingency are accrued when probable and reasonably estimable.
We believe that there are no compliance issues associated with applicable environmental laws and regulations that would have a material adverse effect on us. Expenditures for remediation and environmental liabilities were $4 million in 2022, and are estimated at $16 million in the aggregate for the years 2023 through 2027. In management's opinion, the liabilities for all environmental matters that are probable and reasonably estimable have been accrued and totaled $20 million and $24 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These liabilities are undiscounted, do not consider potential recoveries from other parties and will be paid out over the periods of remediation for the applicable sites, which are expected to occur primarily over the next 15 years. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these matters, or the ultimate costs of remediation, management does not believe that any reasonably possible expenditures that may be incurred in excess of the liabilities accrued should exceed $20 million in the aggregate. Management also does not believe that these expenditures should result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity for any year.
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Impairments of Long-Lived Assets
We assess changes in economic, regulatory and legal conditions and make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows in evaluating the value of our property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets. The judgments made in evaluating impairment of long-lived intangibles can materially affect our results of operations.
We periodically evaluate whether current facts or circumstances indicate that the carrying values of our long-lived assets to be held and used may not be recoverable. If such circumstances are determined to exist, an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows of these assets, or appropriate asset groupings, is compared to the carrying value to determine whether an impairment exists. If the asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured based on the difference between the asset's fair value and its carrying value. If quoted market prices are not available, we estimate fair value using a discounted value of estimated future cash flows approach.
Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment as of October 1 each year, or more frequently if impairment indicators exist, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that fair value is less than carrying value. Some of the factors considered in the assessment include general macroeconomic conditions, conditions specific to the industry and market, cost factors which could have a significant effect on earnings or cash flows, and overall financial performance. If we conclude it is more likely than not that fair value is less than carrying value, a quantitative fair value test is performed. If carrying value is greater than fair value, a goodwill impairment charge will be recorded for the difference (up to the carrying value of goodwill). We completed the annual qualitative goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2022 and concluded that there was no impairment to goodwill as the fair value of the reporting unit was significantly in excess of the carrying value.
Acquired intangible assets are initially recorded at fair value, assigned an estimated useful life, and amortized primarily on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. When events or circumstances warrant a review, we will assess recoverability from future operations using pretax undiscounted cash flows derived from the lowest appropriate asset groupings. Potential risks leading to impairment could include loss of exclusivity occurring earlier than expected, competition, pricing reductions, and other macroeconomic changes. Impairments are recognized in operating results to the extent that the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, which is determined based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows. Organon recorded impairment charges of $9 million and $7 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 respectively. See Note 10 "Intangibles" to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report for additional details on Intangibles.
Taxes on Income
Deferred taxes are recognized for the future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting based on enacted tax laws and rates. We establish valuation allowances for our deferred tax assets when the amount of expected future taxable income is not likely to support the use of the deduction or credit. We evaluate tax positions to determine whether the benefits of tax positions are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit based on the technical merits of the tax position. For tax positions that are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, we recognize the largest amount of the benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement in the financial statements. For tax positions that are not more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, we do not recognize any portion of the benefit in the financial statements. We recognize interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of Taxes on Income in the consolidated statement of income.
Prior to the Separation, we did not maintain an income taxes payable to or from account as it is deemed to be settled with the tax paying entities in the respective jurisdictions. These settlements are reflected as changes in accumulated deficit in the consolidated balance sheet. However, our consolidated balance sheet reflects balances with taxing authorities and the one-time transition tax resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in 2017, as well as for unrecognized income tax benefits along with related interest and penalties.
Prior to the Separation, income tax expense and deferred tax balances in the consolidated financial statements were calculated on a separate tax return basis. We relied on certain assumptions, one of them that as a standalone basis we would not benefit from certain tax incentives that historically benefited Merck. We believe the assumptions supporting the allocation and presentation of income taxes on a separate return basis were reasonable.
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Inventory Valuation
Inventories consist of currently marketed products and are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventories are assessed regularly for impairment and valuation reserves are established when necessary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, product obsolescence and changes in estimates of future product demand and expiry. The determination of events and the assumptions utilized in our quantification of valuation reserves may require judgment. No material adjustments have been required to our inventory reserve estimates for the periods presented. Adverse changes in assumptions utilized in our inventory reserve calculations could result in an increase to our inventory valuation reserves and higher cost of sales.
Acquisitions
Business combinations are evaluated in order to determine whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. The Company makes certain judgments, which include assessment of the inputs, processes, and outputs associated with the acquired set of activities. If the Company determines that substantially all of the fair value of gross assets included in a transaction is concentrated in a single asset (or a group of similar assets), the Company accounts for the transaction as an asset acquisition. In an asset acquisition, acquired IPR&D with no alternative future use is charged to expense and contingent consideration is not recognized at the acquisition date. Product development milestones are recognized upon achievement and sales-based milestones are recognized when the milestone is deemed probable of being achieved.
To be considered a business, the assets in a transaction need to include an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. Businesses acquired are consolidated upon obtaining control. The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recognized at the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies are generally recognized at fair value. If fair value cannot be determined, the asset or liability is recognized if probable and reasonably estimable; if these criteria are not met, no asset or liability is recognized. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recognized as goodwill. Business acquisition costs are expensed when incurred.
The fair values of intangible assets are determined utilizing information available near the acquisition date based on expectations and assumptions that are deemed reasonable by management.
Pension
Our pension plans are calculated using actuarial assumptions including a discount rate for plan benefit obligations and an expected rate of return on plan assets. These significant assumptions are reviewed annually and are disclosed in Note 14 "Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans" to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
For our pension plans, the discount rate is evaluated on measurement dates and modified to reflect the prevailing market rate of a portfolio of high-quality fixed-income debt instruments that would provide the future cash flows needed to pay the benefits included in the benefit obligation as they come due.
The expected rate of return for the pension plans represents the average rate of return to be earned on plan assets over the period the benefits included in the benefit obligation are to be paid. In developing the expected rate of return, the Company considers long-term compound annualized returns of historical market data, current market conditions and actual returns on the Company's plan assets. Using this reference information, the Company develops forward-looking return expectations for each asset category and a weighted-average expected long-term rate of return for a target portfolio allocated across these investment categories. The expected portfolio performance reflects the contribution of active management as appropriate.
Stock-Based Compensation
We expense all stock-based payment awards to employees, including grants of stock options, over the requisite service period based on the grant date fair value of the awards. The fair value of certain stock-based awards is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model which uses both historical and current market data to estimate the fair value. This method incorporates various assumptions such as the risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, expected dividend yield and expected life of the options.
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Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 3 "Summary of Accounting Policies" to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001821825-22-000002.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Organon makes statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and Organon may from time to time make other written reports and oral statements, regarding its outlook or expectations for financial, business or strategic matters regarding or affecting Organon that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, all of which are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties which change over time and may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. One can identify these forward-looking statements by their use of words such as "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "will," "estimates," "forecasts," "projects" and other words of similar meaning, or negative variations of any of the foregoing. One can also identify them by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Organon’s growth and acquisition strategies, financial results, product development, product approvals, product potential and development programs. One must carefully consider any such statement and should understand that many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from Organon's forward-looking statements. These factors may be based on inaccurate assumptions and are subject to a broad variety of other risks and uncertainties. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. The factors described in Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors of this report
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or otherwise described in Organon's filings with the SEC, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause Organon's actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in its forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:
•expanded brand and class competition in the markets in which Organon operates;
•difficulties with performance of third parties Organon relies on for its business growth;
•the failure of any supplier to provide substances, materials, or services as agreed;
•the increased cost of supply, manufacturing, packaging, and operations;
•difficulties developing and sustaining relationships with commercial counterparties;
•competition from generic products as Organon's products lose patent protection;
•expiration of current patents or loss of patent protection for Organon's products;
•difficulties and uncertainties inherent in the implementation of Organon's acquisition strategy or failure to recognize the benefits of such acquisitions;
•pricing pressures globally, including rules and practices of managed care groups, judicial decisions and governmental laws and regulations related to Medicare, Medicaid and health care reform, pharmaceutical reimbursement and pricing in general;
•the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic and any future pandemic, epidemic, or similar public health threat on Organon's business, operations and financial performance;
•changes in government laws and regulations in the United States and other jurisdictions, including laws and regulations governing the research, development, approval, clearance, manufacturing, supply, distribution, and/or marketing of Organon's products and related intellectual property, environmental regulations, and the enforcement thereof affecting Organon's business;
•efficacy or safety concerns with respect to marketed products, whether or not scientifically justified, leading to product recalls, withdrawals or declining sales;
•delays or failures to demonstrate adequate efficacy and safety of Organon's product candidates in pre-clinical and clinical trials, which may prevent or delay the development, approval, clearance, or commercialization of Organon's product candidates;
•difficulties in operating as an independent company;
•costs and temporary business interruptions related to the separation;
•future actions of third-parties, including significant changes in customer relationships or changes in the behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services, including delaying medical procedures, rationing prescription medications, reducing the frequency of physician visits and forgoing health care insurance coverage;
•legal factors, including product liability claims, antitrust litigation and governmental investigations, including tax disputes, environmental claims and patent disputes with branded and generic competitors, any of which could preclude commercialization of products or negatively affect the profitability of existing products;
•lost market opportunity resulting from delays and uncertainties in clinical trials and the approval or clearance process of the U.S. FDA and other regulatory authorities;
•cyberattacks on, or other failures, accidents, or security breaches of, Organon's or third-party providers' information technology systems, which could disrupt Organon's operations;
•increased focus on privacy issues in countries around the world, including the United States, the European Union, and China, and a more difficult legislative and regulatory landscape for privacy and data protection that continues to evolve with the potential to directly affect Organon's business, including recently enacted laws in a majority of states in the United States requiring security breach notification;
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•changes in tax laws including changes related to the taxation of foreign earnings;
•loss of key employees or inability to identify and recruit new employees;
•changes in accounting pronouncements promulgated by standard-setting or regulatory bodies, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC, that are adverse to Organon; and
•economic factors over which Organon has no control, including changes in inflation, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.
It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, one should not consider the above list or any other such list to be a complete statement of all potential risks or uncertainties. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Organon undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as otherwise may be required by law.
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General
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to assist the reader in understanding the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this 2021 Form 10-K to enhance the understanding of our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Organon & Co. (“Organon”) is a global healthcare company formed through a spinoff from Merck & Co., Inc. (“Merck”) to focus on improving the health of women throughout their lives. Organon develops and delivers innovative health solutions through a portfolio of prescription therapies within women's health, biosimilars and established brands (the "Organon Products"). Organon has a portfolio of more than 60 medicines and products across a range of therapeutic areas. The Company sells these products through various channels including drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies and managed health care providers such as health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and other institutions. The Company operates six manufacturing facilities, which are located in Belgium, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom ("UK"). Unless otherwise indicated, trademarks appearing in italics are trademarks of the Organon group of companies.
Separation from Merck
On June 2, 2021, Organon and Merck entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement (the "Separation and Distribution Agreement"). Pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Merck agreed to spin off the Organon Products into Organon, a new, publicly traded company (the "Separation"). The Separation from Merck was completed on June 2, 2021, in which Organon's Common Stock was distributed to all holders of outstanding shares of Merck Common Stock as of the close of business on May 17, 2021 (the "Record Date"). For each share of Merck Common Stock held, such holder received one tenth of one share of Common Stock, and holders received cash in lieu of any fractional share of Common Stock they otherwise would have been entitled to receive in connection with the Distribution. Organon is now a standalone publicly traded company, and on June 3, 2021, regular-way trading of the Common Stock commenced on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "OGN." Until the Separation on June 2, 2021, Organon’s historical combined financial statements were prepared on a standalone basis and were derived from Merck’s consolidated financial statements and accounting records.
For the period subsequent to June 2, 2021, as a standalone publicly traded company, Organon presents its financial statements on a consolidated basis. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The Separation was completed pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement and other agreements with Merck related to the Separation, including, but not limited to, a tax matters agreement, an employee matters agreement and a transition services agreement (see Part II, Item 8. Note 19 for additional details).
Key Trends Affecting Our Results of Operations
•Generic Competition: The majority of our established brands products are beyond market exclusivity. However, these products continue to represent a significant value opportunity arising from long-term sustainable revenue streams and well-established supply chains that together generate significant operating profit relative to low promotional and development expenses.
•Sustained Shift Towards Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives: Although daily contraceptive pills remain the largest market segment, the Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives ("LARC") market segment, which includes Nexplanon® (etonogestrel implant) (sold as Implanon NXT™ in some countries outside the US), has experienced significant growth in the years leading up to 2019 due to a sustained shift from daily oral contraception to LARC. This was driven by payors, providers and patients looking for options beyond commonly used daily contraceptive pills. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the LARC segment during 2021 and 2020 due to clinic closures and the postponement of non-essential medical procedures during country lockdowns. However, LARC segment growth quickly rebounded during months when clinic restrictions were removed and the sustained shift to LARC is expected to continue with fundamental drivers unchanged.
•Increased Access to Fertility Solutions: We believe governments and payors are implementing favorable policies across major markets that, in turn, drive growth in the market for women’s health therapies. For example, in the United States, there has been an increase in fertility insurance mandates and employer coverage, albeit subject to certain exemptions.
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•Emergence of Biosimilars: Biologics continue to experience strong growth trends. However, given the high cost of many of these biologics treatments, biosimilars are a more affordable alternative and represent a significant opportunity for patients, providers, and payors once a biologics product loses patent protection. Moreover, a significant number of biologics are expected to lose exclusivity over the next decade, representing a large opportunity for more biosimilar approvals.
•Increased Competitive Pressures: The markets in which we conduct our business and the pharmaceutical industry in general are highly competitive and highly regulated. Our competitors include other worldwide research-based pharmaceutical companies, smaller research companies with more limited therapeutic focus and generic drug manufacturers.
Recent Developments
Business Development
In February 2022, Organon acquired the product rights from Bayer AG to Marvelon® (ethinylestradiol, desogestrel) and Mercilon® (ethinylestradiol, desogestrel), combined oral hormonal daily contraceptive pills, in the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong and Macau, and has entered into an agreement to acquire the rights to these products in Vietnam. Marvelon and Mercilon are already owned, manufactured, and marketed by Organon as prescription oral contraceptives in 20 other markets. The transaction to acquire the rights to these products in Vietnam will close in the first half of 2022 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.
In December 2021, Organon completed its acquisition of Forendo Pharma, a clinical-stage drug development company focused on novel treatments in women’s health. Forendo is pioneering the science of intracrinology, addressing disease through a novel, tissue-specific approach. Its lead clinical compound is an investigational, potentially first-in-class oral 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD17B1) inhibitor in early development for endometriosis, being evaluated for its potential effect on endometriotic lesions. Total consideration includes a $75 million upfront payment, the assumption of approximately $10 million of Forendo debt, payments upon the achievement of certain development and regulatory milestones of up to $270 million and commercial milestones payments of up to $600 million, which together could amount to total consideration of $955 million. Contingent consideration will be paid by Organon upon achievement and the liability recorded once it is deemed probable of occurrence. The transaction was accounted for in 2021 as an asset acquisition, as substantially all of the value was concentrated in a single identifiable asset. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded $79 million, which consisted of the $75 million upfront payment, the assumption of debt of $10 million and other net assets, as Research and Development expense. The Company also incurred $5 million of transaction related expenses reflected in Selling, General and Administrative expenses.
In July 2021, Organon and ObsEva entered into a license agreement whereby Organon licensed the global development, manufacturing and commercial rights to ebopiprant (OBE022) from ObsEva. Ebopiprant is an investigational, orally active, selective prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) receptor antagonist being evaluated as a potential treatment for preterm labor by reducing inflammation and uterine contractions. Under the terms of the license agreement, Organon gained exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize ebopiprant. ObsEva is entitled to receive tiered double-digit royalties on commercial sales, up to $90 million in development and regulatory milestone payments, and up to $385 million sales-based milestone payments that will be paid by Organon upon achievement of the contractual milestone and the liability recorded once it is deemed probable of occurrence. Upon execution of the agreement, Organon made a $25 million upfront payment, which was recorded as Research and development expense during 2021.
In June 2021, Organon completed its acquisition of Alydia Health, a commercial-stage medical device company. Alydia’s device, the Jada system, is intended to provide control and treatment of abnormal postpartum uterine bleeding or hemorrhage when conservative management is warranted. The transaction consideration included a $219 million upfront payment. Additionally, there is a $25 million sales based contingent milestone payment that will be paid by Organon upon achievement and the liability recorded once it is deemed probable of occurrence. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition as substantially all of the value was concentrated in a single identifiable asset. This resulted in an intangible of $247 million attributed to the Jada system device. This asset is subject to amortization on a straight-line basis over its expected useful life of 11 years. In addition to the intangible asset, Organon also recorded other net liabilities of $7 million, a deferred tax liability of $44 million related to the intangible asset, and compensation expense of $23 million, which was recorded in Selling General and Administrative Expenses. Of the $23 million of compensation expense, $19 million was related to accelerated vesting of Alydia stock-based compensation awards.
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Debt
In April 2021, in connection with the Separation, Organon Finance 1 LLC (“Organon Finance 1”), a subsidiary of Merck, issued €1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 2.875% senior secured notes due 2028, $2.1 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior secured notes due 2028 and $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior unsecured notes due 2031 (collectively, “the Notes”). Interest payments are due semiannually on October 30 and April 30. As part of the Separation, on June 2, 2021, Organon and a wholly-owned Dutch subsidiary of Organon (the “Dutch Co-Issuer”) assumed the obligations under the Notes as co-issuers, Organon Finance 1 was released as an obligor under the Notes, and certain subsidiaries of Organon agreed to guarantee the Notes. Each series of Notes was issued pursuant to an indenture dated April 22, 2021, between Organon and U.S. Bank National Association. Organon and the Dutch Co-Issuer assumed the obligations under the Notes pursuant to a first supplemental indenture to the relevant indenture, and the guarantors agreed to guarantee the Notes pursuant to a second supplemental indenture to the relevant indenture.
Also upon Separation on June 2, 2021, Organon entered into a credit agreement providing for a Term Loan B Facility, consisting of (i) a U.S. Dollar denominated senior secured “tranche B” term loan in the amount of $3.0 billion due 2028 (ii) a euro denominated senior secured “tranche B” term loan in the amount of €750 million due 2028; and a Revolving Credit Facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”), in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1 billion, with a five-year term that matures in 2026.
Borrowings made under the Revolving Credit Facility initially bear interest (i) in U.S. Dollars at 2.00% in excess of an Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate (“Adjusted LIBOR”) (subject to a floor of 0.00%) or 1.00% in excess of an alternate base rate (“ABR”), at our option and (ii) in euros, at 2.00% in excess of an adjusted Euro Interbank Offer Rate (“Adjusted EURIBOR”). The Term Loan B Facility bears interest (i) denominated in U.S. Dollars, at 3.00% in excess of Adjusted LIBOR (subject to a floor of 0.50%) or 2.00% in excess of ABR, at our option and (ii) denominated in euros, at 3.00% in excess of Adjusted EURIBOR (subject to a floor of 0.00%). The interest rate on revolving loans under the Revolving Credit Facility is subject to a step-down based on meeting a leverage ratio target and is subject to a commitment fee which applies to the unused portion of the revolving facility, initially equal to 0.50% and subject to a step-down to 0.375% based on meeting a leverage ratio target. The Revolving Credit Facility is also subject to customary financial covenants.
Organon used the net proceeds from the Notes offering, together with available cash on its balance sheet and borrowings under senior secured credit facilities, to distribute $9.0 billion to Merck and to pay fees and expenses related to the Separation. On December 23, 2021, the Company made a discretionary prepayment of $100 million on the U.S. Dollar denominated term loan. As of December 31, 2021, Organon is in compliance with all financial covenants and no default or event of default has occurred.
Net Investment Hedge
In each quarter subsequent to the Separation, €1.75 billion in the aggregate of both the euro-denominated term loan (€750 million) and the 2.875% euro-denominated secured notes (€1.25 billion) has been designated and is effective as an economic hedge of the net investment in a foreign operation. As a result, $162 million of foreign currency gains due to spot rate fluctuations on the euro-denominated debt instruments are included in foreign currency translation adjustments in Other Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2021, respectively.
COVID-19 Update
Organon remains focused on protecting the safety of its employees and supporting Organon’s communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19-related disruptions, including patients’ inability to access health care providers, prioritization of COVID-19 patients, as well as social distancing measures have negatively affected our results.
The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to Organon sales was approximately $400 million in each of the years 2021 and 2020. Our product portfolio is comprised of physician prescribed products, mainly in established brands, which have been affected by social distancing measures and fewer medical visits. Additionally, our portfolio in Women's Health includes products that are physician administered, which have been affected by limited access to physicians and healthcare centers. These impacts, as well as the prioritization of COVID-19 patients at health care providers, resulted in reduced administration of many products within established brands, particularly for respiratory and cardiovascular products and women's health product Nexplanon/Implanon NXT, throughout 2020 and 2021.
We believe that global health systems and patients continue to adapt to the evolving impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and although we experienced recoveries during 2021, ongoing negative impacts persisted during most of 2021 principally affecting products within established brands and women’s health, primarily Nexplanon/Implanon NXT.
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Operating expenses in 2021 were higher compared to 2020 primarily due to lower promotional and selling costs incurred in 2020 attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as incremental costs associated with establishing Organon as a standalone company.
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Operating Results
Sales Overview
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | 2020 | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $ | 1,383 | (2) | % | (2) | % | $ | 1,408 | (30) | % | (30) | % | $ | 2,021 | ||||||||
| International | 4,921 | (4) | % | (8) | % | 5,124 | (11) | % | (10) | % | 5,756 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 6,304 | (3) | % | (6) | % | $ | 6,532 | (16) | % | (15) | % | $ | 7,777 |
U.S. plus international may not equal total due to rounding.
Worldwide sales were $6.3 billion in 2021, a decrease of 3% compared with 2020. The sales decline is primarily due to ongoing generic competition for products within the established brands business, particularly for cardiovascular products Zetia and Vytorin (ezetimibe and simvastatin), an expiration of a distribution agreement in December 2020 for Rosuzet in Korea, lower sales of respiratory products including Singulair (montelukast) and Dulera (mometasone furoate and formoterol fumarate dihydrate), generic competition for women’s health product NuvaRing (etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring) and the generic etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring, as well as the negative impact of volume-based procurement ("VBP") in China. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to negatively affect sales in 2021 across several markets. The overall sales decline was offset by higher sales of women's health products Nexplanon/Implanon NXT, Follistim AQ (follitropin beta injection) and ganirelix acetate injection due to higher demand, and higher sales of biosimilars resulting from the continued uptake of Renflexis and Ontruzant in the United States as well as the favorable impact of foreign exchange.
Worldwide sales were $6.5 billion in 2020, a decline of 16% compared with 2019, primarily due to generic competition for women’s health product NuvaRing, and ongoing generic competition for products within the established brands business, particularly for respiratory products Singulair and Nasonex, and cardiovascular products Zetia and Vytorin. As described above, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected sales in 2020, contributing to declines in established brands, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular products, as well as declines in women’s health products, particularly Nexplanon, Follistim AQ and Orgalutran. The sales decline was partially offset by revenue resulting from an arrangement for the sale of generic etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring, higher sales of biosimilars resulting from the continued uptake of Renflexis in existing markets and the launch of Ontruzant into new markets, as well as higher sales of cardiovascular product Atozet.
The loss of exclusivity ("LOE") negatively impacted sales by approximately $300 million for 2021 compared to 2020 based on the decrease in volume period over period. Additionally, the VBP in China continues to unfavorably affect a number of our products with an impact to sales of approximately $170 million for 2021 compared to 2020 based on the decrease in volume period over period.
Organon’s operations include a portfolio of products. Highlights of the sales of Organon’s products for 2021, 2020 and 2019 are provided below. See Note 18 “Product and Geographic Information” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on sales of our products.
Women’s Health
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | 2020 | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nexplanon/Implanon NXT | $ | 769 | 13 | % | 12 | % | $ | 680 | (14) | % | (13) | % | $ | 787 | ||||||||
| NuvaRing | 191 | (19) | % | (21) | % | 236 | (73) | % | (73) | % | 879 | |||||||||||
| Follistim AQ | 237 | 23 | % | 19 | % | 193 | (20) | % | (20) | % | 241 | |||||||||||
| ganirelix acetate injection | 111 | 37 | % | 32 | % | 81 | (28) | % | (27) | % | 112 |
Contraception
Worldwide sales of Nexplanon/Implanon NXT, a single-rod subdermal contraceptive implant, increased 13% in 2021 primarily due to favorable impact from pricing and increased demand in the United States, favorable impact from the timing of tenders in Latin America, and higher demand and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in the international markets.
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Worldwide sales of Nexplanon/Implanon NXT declined 14% in 2020 primarily due to lower demand in the United States and in the EU resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Worldwide sales of NuvaRing, a vaginal contraceptive product, declined 19% in 2021 primarily due to ongoing generic competition in the United States and the EU. We expect a continued decline in NuvaRing sales as a result of generic competition. Worldwide sales of NuvaRing sales declined 73% in 2020 due to generic competition in the United States resulting from patent expiration in the United States. In addition to sales of branded NuvaRing, we have an agreement with a generic manufacturer that authorizes the sale of generic etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring in the United States. Under the terms of the agreement, we are reimbursed on a cost-plus basis by the generic manufacturer for supplying finished goods and receive a share of the net profits recorded by the generic manufacturer. Under the terms of the agreement, our share in the profits declines over time as new participants enter the market. Revenues from this arrangement were $73 million, $148 million and $2 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Revenues for 2021 primarily reflect our share of the profits. Revenues for 2020 and 2019 reflect supply sales of the generic product to the manufacturer. The decline in revenue for 2021 is due to the entry of a new market participant. Given the nature of this arrangement, we expect revenue under this arrangement to continue to decline significantly in 2022.
Fertility
Worldwide sales of Follistim AQ (marketed in most countries outside the United States as Puregon), a fertility treatment, increased 23% in 2021, primarily due to continuous volume growth in the United States, as well as recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and China. Worldwide sales of Follistim AQ declined 20% in 2020 largely due to lower global demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Worldwide sales of ganirelix acetate injection (marketed in certain countries outside the United States as Orgalutran), a fertility treatment, increased 37% in 2021 primarily due to favorable pricing in the United States, volume growth in Europe and Canada, and China, as well as recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Worldwide sales of ganirelix acetate injection declined 28% in 2020 primarily due to lower pricing in the United States, as well as lower demand in international markets attributable both to the COVID-19 pandemic and generic competition.
Biosimilars
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | 2020 | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renflexis | $ | 186 | 37 | % | 36 | % | $ | 135 | 40 | % | 40 | % | $ | 96 | ||||||||
| Ontruzant | 126 | 10 | % | 7 | % | 115 | 38 | % | 37 | % | 83 | |||||||||||
| Brenzys | 63 | (15) | % | (20) | % | 74 | 3 | % | 4 | % | 72 |
The following biosimilar products are part of a development and commercialization agreement between Organon and Samsung Bioepis entered into in 2013. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Our commercialization territories under the agreement vary by product as noted below.
Renflexis is a biosimilar to Remicade (infliximab) (a trademark of Janssen Biotech, Inc.) for the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases. Sales growth in 2021 and 2020 was driven primarily by continued demand growth in the United States since launch in 2017 as well as growth in Canada. We have commercialization rights to Renflexis in countries outside the EU, Korea, China, Turkey and Russia.
Ontruzant (trastuzumab-dttb) is a biosimilar to Herceptin (trastuzumab) (a trademark of Genentech, Inc.) for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing breast cancer and HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. For 2021, sales reflect uptake since the July 2020 launch in the United States partially offset by a decrease in the EU reflecting increasing competitive pressures and tenders lost. We have commercialization rights to Ontruzant in countries outside of Korea and China. Sales growth in 2020 was driven by the launch in Brazil.
Brenzys (etanercept) is a biosimilar to Enbrel (etanercept) (a trademark of Immunex Corporation) for the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases. Sales in 2021 decreased 15% primarily due to lower demand in Brazil. We have commercialization rights to Brenzys in countries outside of the United States, the E.U., Korea, China and Japan. Sales in 2020 were relatively flat compared to 2019.
Recent Launches
Aybintio is a biosimilar to Avastin (bevacizumab) (a trademark of Genentech, Inc.) for the treatment of metastatic carcinoma of the colon or rectum, metastatic non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer, metastatic renal cell carcinoma,
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metastatic cervical cancer, epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer and metastatic breast cancer. We recorded sales of $36 million during 2021, with minimal sales during 2020 due to the approval of Aybintio in the EU in August 2020 and its launch in September 2020. We currently have no plan for the timing of any launch of Aybintio in the United States nor do we know when such timing would be determined. We have experienced increased competition, including pricing pressure, which is expected to impact our sales in 2022 and forward. We have commercialization rights to Aybintio in the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, the UK and Spain.
Hadlima (adalimumab-bwwd) is a biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab) (a trademark of AbbVie Technology Ltd.) for the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases. We have worldwide commercialization rights to Hadlima in countries outside of the EU, Korea, China, Turkey and Russia. Samsung Bioepis reached a global settlement with AbbVie permitting us to launch Hadlima in the United States in June 2023 and outside of the United States starting in 2021. Hadlima is currently approved in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Israel. Hadlima was launched in Australia and Canada in February 2021. Following these launches, we recorded sales of $13 million during 2021, with no comparable sales during 2020.
Established Brands
Established brands represents a broad portfolio of well-known brands, which generally are beyond market exclusivity, including leading brands in cardiovascular, respiratory, dermatology and non-opioid pain management, for which generic competition varies by market.
Cardiovascular
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | 2020 | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zetia/Vytorin | $ | 542 | (18) | % | (22) | % | $ | 664 | (24) | % | (24) | % | $ | 875 | ||||||||
| Atozet | 458 | 1 | % | (3) | % | 453 | 16 | % | 16 | % | 391 | |||||||||||
| Rosuzet | 68 | (48) | % | (47) | % | 130 | 8 | % | 9 | % | 120 | |||||||||||
| Cozaar/Hyzaar | 357 | (7) | % | (11) | % | 386 | (13) | % | (11) | % | 442 | |||||||||||
| Zocor | 65 | (16) | % | (19) | % | 77 | (31) | % | (31) | % | 112 |
Combined global sales of Zetia (marketed in most countries outside of the United States as Ezetrol) and Vytorin (marketed outside of the United States as Inegy), medicines for lowering LDL cholesterol, decreased 18% and 24% in 2021 and 2020, respectively, primarily driven by lower sales of Ezetrol in Japan, as well as lower sales of Ezetrol and Inegy in the EU. The patent that provided market exclusivity for Ezetrol in Japan expired in September 2019 and generic competition began in June 2020. The EU patents for Ezetrol and Inegy expired in April 2018 and April 2019, respectively. Accordingly, we are experiencing sales declines in these markets as a result of generic competition and expect the declines to continue. Higher demand for Ezetrol in China during 2021, resulting from expanded access, partially offset the sales decline.
Sales of Atozet (ezetimibe and atorvastatin calcium) (marketed outside of the United States), a medicine for lowering LDL cholesterol, remained relatively flat 2021, primarily due to increased competition in Germany, partially offset by demand increase in France and the Asia Pacific region. Sales of Atozet grew 16% in 2020 primarily due to higher demand in most markets, particularly in the EU, Japan and other countries in the Asia Pacific region.
Sales of Rosuzet (ezetimibe and rosuvastatin calcium) (marketed outside of the United States), a medicine for lowering LDL cholesterol, declined 48% in 2021 due to the expiration of a distribution agreement in Korea in December 2020, partially offset by higher demand and favorable pricing in Japan. Sales of Rosuzet grew 8% in 2020 primarily due to higher demand in Korea and Japan.
Combined global sales of Cozaar (losartan potassium) and Hyzaar (losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide) (a combination of Cozaar and hydrochlorothiazide that is marketed in Japan as Preminent), a medicine for the treatment of hypertension, declined 7% in 2021 primarily due to continued generic competition in Japan and the Asia Pacific region, market decline in China, lower demand in the United States, and lower sales in Canada as sales in 2020 were higher due to competitor supply shortages. Combined global sales of Cozaar and Hyzaar declined 13% in 2020 primarily due to lower demand in China, Japan and the EU.
Worldwide sales of Zocor (simvastatin), a statin for modifying cholesterol, decreased 16% in 2021, primarily due to lower volumes in China due to the VBP impact. Worldwide sales of Zocor declined 31% in 2020 primarily due to lower demand in China.
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Respiratory
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | 2020 | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singulair | $ | 413 | (11) | % | (13) | % | $ | 462 | (34) | % | (34) | % | $ | 698 | ||||||||
| Nasonex | 206 | (6) | % | (9) | % | 218 | (26) | % | (24) | % | 293 | |||||||||||
| Dulera | 190 | (15) | % | (16) | % | 222 | 2 | % | 2 | % | 217 |
Worldwide sales of Singulair, a once-a-day oral medicine for the chronic treatment of asthma and for the relief of symptoms of allergic rhinitis, decreased 11% in 2021 primarily attributable to the impact of VBP in China, lower volume in Japan, Europe and Canada due to generic competition, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Middle East region. The sales decline was partially offset by the market recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Worldwide sales of Singulair declined 34% in 2020 primarily due to lower demand in China and Japan attributable in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global sales of Nasonex, an inhaled nasal corticosteroid for the treatment of nasal allergy symptoms, decreased 6% in 2021 primarily driven by generic competition in Japan, lower demand impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic across several markets in the United States, Latin America, and Europe, partially offset by higher demand in China. Global sales of Nasonex declined 26% in 2020 primarily due to continued generic competition in Japan, as well as lower demand in several other international markets resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by higher demand in China.
Global sales of Dulera, a combination medicine for the treatment of asthma, decreased 15% in 2021, largely due to significant buy-in during 2020 related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Global sales of Dulera increased 2% in 2020 due to higher demand in Canada.
Non-Opioid Pain, Bone and Dermatology
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | 2020 | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcoxia | $ | 244 | (5) | % | (8) | % | $ | 258 | (11) | % | (8) | % | $ | 288 |
Sales of Arcoxia (etoricoxib) (marketed outside of the United States) for the treatment of arthritis and pain decreased 5% in 2021 primarily due to the impact of VBP in China and lower demand in the Asia Pacific region attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales of Arcoxia declined 11% in 2020 primarily due to lower demand in the Asia Pacific region related to the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by higher demand in the EU.
Other
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | 2020 | % Change | % Change Excluding Foreign Exchange | 2019 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proscar | $ | 117 | (33) | % | (37) | % | $ | 176 | (13) | % | (12) | % | $ | 203 |
Worldwide sales of Proscar for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostate enlargement declined 33% in 2021 primarily due to lower performance reflecting the impact of VBP in China. Worldwide sales of Proscar declined 13% in 2020 primarily due to lower demand in China.
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Costs, Expenses and Other
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | % Change | 2020 | % Change | 2019 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of sales | $ | 2,382 | 12 | % | $ | 2,119 | (7) | % | $ | 2,274 | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,668 | 23 | % | 1,356 | (6) | % | 1,443 | |||||||||
| Research and development | 443 | 111 | % | 210 | (5) | % | 220 | |||||||||
| Restructuring costs | 3 | * | 60 | * | 78 | |||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | 279 | * | 35 | * | 66 | |||||||||||
| $ | 4,775 | 26 | % | $ | 3,780 | (7) | % | $ | 4,081 |
* Calculation not meaningful.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales includes expenses for the amortization of intangible assets which totaled $103 million in 2021, $86 million in 2020 and $284 million in 2019. Cost of sales increased 12% in 2021 primarily due to an increase in manufacturing and freight costs, as well as certain costs related to tolling arrangements with Merck which were not in place in 2020. During 2021, the Company recognized $24 million in Cost of sales pertaining to estimated unavoidable losses associated with a long-term vendor supply contract conveyed as part of the Separation. Due to increased competition during 2021, which resulted in the loss of contract tenders in certain markets and pricing pressure, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $7 million related to a product right for a biosimilar product. Cost of sales decreased 7% in 2020, primarily attributable to the decline in amortization expense for the intangible assets of Nasonex, Clarinex and Atozet, which were fully amortized at the end of 2019.
Gross margin was 62.2%, 67.6% and 70.8% in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The gross margin decline in 2021 compared to 2020 reflects stand up costs, certain costs related to tolling arrangements with Merck, which have lower gross margin percentages compared to product sales, higher amortization expense, as well as the $24 million charge associated with the long-term vendor supply contract conveyed to Organon and the $7 million of impairment charge related to a biosimilar product. The gross margin decline in 2020 compared with 2019 reflects pricing pressure and product mix, partially offset by lower amortization of intangible assets as noted above.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 23% in 2021 due to costs incurred to establish Organon as a standalone entity, higher employee related costs, and higher selling and promotional costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses declined 6% in 2020 primarily due to lower selling and promotional costs, reflecting lower travel and meeting expenses due in part to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These declines were partially offset by costs incurred to establish Organon as a standalone entity.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses more than doubled in 2021 primarily due to the $79 million charge for the acquisition of Forendo Pharma, the $25 million upfront payment related to the license agreement with ObsEva, higher expenses related to clinical development, and higher employee related costs incurred to establish Organon as a standalone entity. Research and development expenses declined 5% in 2020 primarily due to lower costs from post-marketing research activities, partially offset by higher spending associated with Organon development programs.
Restructuring Costs
Certain of our operations have been affected by restructuring plans initiated by Merck. The decline in restructuring costs for 2021 and 2020 is due to lower allocated costs from Merck. Currently, Organon does not have an established restructuring program. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Other (Income) Expense, Net
For 2021, the increase in other (income) expense is primarily due to $258 million of interest expense related to the issuance of the debt instruments, offset by lower allocated foreign exchange hedging losses as compared to 2020. The decrease in other (income) expenses for 2020 was primarily due to lower allocated foreign exchange hedging losses as compared to 2019.
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Taxes on Income
The effective income tax rates for 2021, 2020 and 2019 were 11.7%, 18.0% and 10.6%, respectively. The decrease in effective interest rates for 2021 reflect the beneficial impact of foreign earnings, the $75 million tax benefit relating to a portion of the non-U.S. step-up of tax basis associated with Organon's Separation from Merck, as well as the income tax benefit recognized in connection with the conclusion of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) examination of Merck’s 2015-2016 U.S. federal income tax returns. As a result of the examination conclusion, we reflected an allocation from Merck of $18 million in the Consolidated Financial Statements representing our portion of the payment made to the IRS. Our portion of reserves for unrecognized tax benefits for the years under examination exceeded the allocated adjustments relating to this examination period and therefore for the year ended December 31, 2021, we have reflected a $29 million net tax benefit. This net benefit reflects reductions in reserves for unrecognized tax benefits and other related liabilities for tax positions relating to the years that were under examination.
Income/Loss from Discontinued Operations
The historical results of certain Merck non-U.S. legal entities that were contributed to Organon in connection with the Separation included operations related to other Merck products that were retained by Merck. The Merck Retained Products business of the Transferred Entities were contributed by Organon to Merck and its affiliates. Accordingly, the historical results of operations of the Merck Retained Products have been reflected as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Financial Statements for all periods presented.
There was no income or loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes for 2021. Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes, for 2020 and 2019 was $96 million and $88 million, respectively.
Analysis of Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Up to the date of Separation on June 2, 2021, Organon participated in Merck’s centralized treasury model, which included its cash pooling and other intercompany financing arrangements. We have historically generated, and expect to continue to generate, positive cash flow from operations.
In April 2021, in connection with the Separation, Organon Finance 1, previously a subsidiary of Merck, issued €1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 2.875% senior secured notes due 2028, $2.1 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior secured notes due 2028 and $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior unsecured notes due 2031. The notes were assumed by Organon and the Dutch Co-Issuer. In addition, on June 2, 2021, we entered into a credit agreement providing for a $3.0 billion U.S. dollar-denominated senior secured term loan due 2028 and a euro denominated senior secured term loan in the amount of €750 million due 2028. We also entered into a secured, unsubordinated five-year revolving credit facility that provides for the availability of $1.0 billion of borrowings. As of December 31, 2021, there are no borrowings outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility. We distributed $9.0 billion of the $9.5 billion proceeds to Merck in accordance with the terms of the Separation.
After the distribution to Merck of $9.0 billion in net debt proceeds and settlement of certain balances with Merck and its affiliates, we began operations as an independent company with approximately $900 million of cash and cash equivalents, which included approximately $400 million of funds received from Merck for the purchase of inventory from Merck upon exit of certain Interim Operating Model agreements. This purchase was completed at the end of 2021. On December 23, 2021, the Company made a discretionary prepayment of $100 million on the U.S. dollar denominated term loan. At December 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $737 million. We expect to continue to fund our ongoing operating, investing and financing requirements mainly through cash flows from operations, available liquidity through cash on hand, available capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility and access to capital markets.
Working capital of continuing operations was $1.2 billion at December 31, 2021 and $348 million at December 31, 2020. The increase in working capital of continuing operations was primarily driven by cash funding by Merck in connection with the Separation and an increase in accounts receivable, partially offset by increases in employee benefits and payroll accruals and interest payable.
Cash provided by operating activities was $2.2 billion in 2021, $2.3 billion in 2020 and $3.0 billion in 2019. Cash provided by operating activities in 2021 was unfavorably impacted by the decline in net income and an increase in accounts receivable and inventory partially offset by an increase in trade accounts payable, including amounts due to Merck, and accrued and other current liabilities. Cash provided by operating activities in 2020 was primarily impacted by the decline in net income.
Cash used in investing activities was $481 million in 2021, $250 million in 2020, and $88 million in 2019. Cash used in investing activities in 2021 primarily reflects the asset acquisition of Forendo and Alydia Health and the licensing agreement with ObsEva. Cash used in investing activities in 2020, reflects an increase in capital expenditures.
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Cash used in financing activities was $977 million in 2021, $2.0 billion in 2020 and 2.9 billion in 2019. The change in cash used in financing activities in 2021 reflects the proceeds from the issuance of long term debt, the payment of related debt issuance costs and related principal payment, payment of dividends, and the settlement of the transactions with Merck in connection with the Separation (see Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The change in cash used in financing activities in 2020 reflects transactions with Merck.
Our ability to fund our operations and anticipated capital needs is reliant upon the generation of cash from operations, supplemented as necessary by periodic utilization of our Revolving Credit Facility. Our principal uses of cash in the future will be primarily to fund our operations, working capital needs, capital expenditures, repayment of borrowings, payment of dividends and strategic business development transactions.
Capital expenditures were $192 million in 2021, $255 million in 2020 and $92 million in 2019. Capital expenditures in 2021 and 2020 reflect investment in new capital projects focused primarily on establishing Organon as an independent Company. We estimate that we will continue to invest in new capital projects from 2022 to 2023, for ongoing projects to stand up Organon, principally related to investments in information technology.
In February 2022, the armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia escalated, which may adversely impact Organon’s business. Specifically, trade sanctions, travel bans and asset or financial freezes announced by the United States, European Union and other countries against Russian entities and designated individual restrictions have impacted and may continue to impact many global businesses in direct and indirect ways (including, but not limited to, product shipping delays, supply shortages, delays in regulatory approvals and audits, currency exchange rates and exchange controls). Such actions may negatively impact the financial institutions, vendors, manufacturers, suppliers, partners and other third parties with whom Organon conducts business. Organon will continue to monitor the impacts of the conflict, which may negatively impact Organon’s operations, financial position or cash flows. For the year ended December 31, 2021, Organon’s combined revenues of Ukraine and Russia were approximately 2% of total revenues.
Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2021, which require material cash requirements in the future, consist of purchase obligations and lease obligations. Purchase obligations are enforceable and legally binding obligations for purchases of goods and services which include inventory purchase commitments. Lease obligations exclude reasonably certain lease renewals that have not yet been executed. As of December 31, 2021, total payments due for purchase obligations and lease obligations are $1.5 billion and $251 million, respectively, and extend through 2030. Contractual obligations due within the next twelve months are $349 million related to purchase commitments and $53 million related to lease obligations. In addition, Organon is responsible for settlement of certain tax matters, of which the Company expects to pay approximately $20 million within the next year.
During 2021, Organon paid cash dividends of $0.56 per share. In February 2022, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.28 per share on Organon’s stock that was paid on March 17, 2022 to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 28, 2022.
We believe that our financing arrangements, future cash from operations, and access to capital markets will provide adequate resources to fund our future cash flow needs.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The audited annual consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP and, accordingly, include certain amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. A discussion of accounting estimates considered critical because of the potential for a significant impact on the financial statements due to the inherent uncertainty in such estimates are disclosed below. Because of the uncertainty inherent in such estimates, actual results may differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Our accounting policy for revenue recognition has a substantial impact on reported results and relies on certain estimates. Revenue is recognized following a five-step model: (i) identify the customer contract; (ii) identify the contract’s performance obligation; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligation; and (v) recognize revenue when or as a performance obligation is satisfied. Revenue is reduced for gross-to-net sales adjustments discussed below, all of which involve significant estimates and judgment after considering applicable laws and regulations and definitive contractual agreements with private sector and public sector benefit providers. These types of variable consideration are estimated at the time of sale generally using the expected value method, although the most likely amount method is used for prompt pay discounts. In addition, revenues are recorded net of time value of money discounts if collection of accounts receivable is expected to be in excess of one year. Estimates are assessed each period and adjusted as required to revise information or actual experience.
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In the United States, revenue is reduced by sales discounts issued to customers at the point-of-sale, through an intermediary wholesaler (known as chargebacks), or in the form of rebate amounts owed based upon definitive contractual agreements or legal requirements with private sector (Managed Care) and public sector (Medicaid and Medicare Part D customers). Additionally, sales are generally made with a limited right of return under certain conditions.
The provision for aggregate customer discounts in the United States covers chargebacks and rebates. We determine the provision for chargebacks based on expected sell-through levels by our wholesale customers to contracted customers, as well as estimated wholesaler inventory levels. The provision for rebates is based on expected patient usage, as well as inventory levels in the distribution channel to determine the contractual obligation to the benefit providers. We use historical customer segment utilization mix, sales forecasts, changes to product mix and price, inventory levels in the distribution channel, government pricing calculations and prior payment history in order to estimate the expected provision. Amounts accrued for aggregate customer discounts are evaluated on a quarterly basis through comparison of information provided by the wholesalers, health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, federal and state agencies, and other customers to the amounts accrued.
We continually monitor our provision for aggregate customer discounts. There were no material adjustments to estimates associated with the aggregate customer discount provision in 2021, 2020, or 2019.
Summarized information about changes in the aggregate customer discount accrual related to sales in the United States is as follows:
| ($ in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance January 1 | $ | 343 | $ | 365 | $ | 404 | ||||
| Provision | 2,000 | 1,770 | 1,885 | |||||||
| Payments(1) | (2,014) | (1,792) | (1,924) | |||||||
| Balance December 31 | $ | 329 | $ | 343 | $ | 365 |
(1) Includes 2021 payments made by Merck on behalf of Organon for the period prior to the Separation date.
Accruals for chargebacks are reflected as a direct reduction to accounts receivable and accruals for rebates as current liabilities. The accrued balances relative to these provisions included in accounts receivable and accrued and other current liabilities were $54 million and $275 million, respectively at December 31, 2021, $41 million and $302 million, respectively, at December 31, 2020 and were $52 million and $313 million, respectively, at December 31, 2019.
Outside of the United States, variable consideration in the form of discounts and rebates are a combination of commercially-driven discounts in highly competitive product classes, discounts required to gain or maintain reimbursement, or legislatively mandated rebates. In certain European countries, legislatively mandated rebates are calculated based on an estimate of the government’s total unbudgeted spending and our specific payback obligation. Rebates may also be required based on specific product sales thresholds. We apply an estimated factor against our actual invoiced sales to represent the expected level of future discount or rebate obligations associated with the sale.
We maintain a returns policy that allows our customers in the United States to return product within a specified period prior to and subsequent to the expiration date (generally, three to six months before and 12 months after product expiration). The estimate of the provision for returns is based upon historical experience with actual returns. Additionally, we consider factors such as levels of inventory in the distribution channel, product dating and expiration period, whether products have been discontinued, entrance in the market of generic competition, changes in formularies or launch of over-the-counter products, among others. Outside of the United States, returns are only allowed in certain countries on a limited basis.
See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details on our revenue recognition policy.
Contingencies and Environmental Liabilities
We are involved in various claims and legal proceedings of a nature considered normal to our business, including product liability, intellectual property, and commercial litigation, as well as certain additional matters including governmental and environmental matters (see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). We record accruals for contingencies when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.
Legal defense costs expected to be incurred in connection with a loss contingency are accrued when probable and reasonably estimable.
We believe that there are no compliance issues associated with applicable environmental laws and regulations that would have a material adverse effect on us. Expenditures for remediation and environmental liabilities were $4 million in 2021, and are estimated at $19 million in the aggregate for the years 2022 through 2026. In management’s opinion, the liabilities for all environmental matters that are probable and reasonably estimable have been accrued and totaled $24 million at both
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December 31, 2021 and 2020. These liabilities are undiscounted, do not consider potential recoveries from other parties and will be paid out over the periods of remediation for the applicable sites, which are expected to occur primarily over the next 15 years. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these matters, or the ultimate costs of remediation, management does not believe that any reasonably possible expenditures that may be incurred in excess of the liabilities accrued should exceed $16 million in the aggregate. Management also does not believe that these expenditures should result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity for any year.
Impairments of Long-Lived Assets
We assess changes in economic, regulatory and legal conditions and make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows in evaluating the value of our property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets. The judgments made in evaluating impairment of long-lived intangibles can materially affect our results of operations.
We periodically evaluate whether current facts or circumstances indicate that the carrying values of our long-lived assets to be held and used may not be recoverable. If such circumstances are determined to exist, an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows of these assets, or appropriate asset groupings, is compared to the carrying value to determine whether an impairment exists. If the asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured based on the difference between the asset’s fair value and its carrying value. If quoted market prices are not available, we estimate fair value using a discounted value of estimated future cash flows approach.
Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment as of October 1 each year, or more frequently if impairment indicators exist, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that fair value is less than carrying value. Some of the factors considered in the assessment include general macroeconomic conditions, conditions specific to the industry and market, cost factors which could have a significant effect on earnings or cash flows, and overall financial performance. If we conclude it is more likely than not that fair value is less than carrying value, a quantitative fair value test is performed. If carrying value is greater than fair value, a goodwill impairment charge will be recorded for the difference (up to the carrying value of goodwill). We completed the annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2021 and concluded that no impairment to goodwill was necessary as the fair value of the reporting unit was significantly in excess of the carrying value.
Other acquired intangible assets are initially recorded at fair value, assigned an estimated useful life, and amortized primarily on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. When events or circumstances warrant a review, we will assess recoverability from future operations using pretax undiscounted cash flows derived from the lowest appropriate asset groupings. Potential risks leading to impairment could include loss of exclusivity occurring earlier than expected, competition, pricing reductions, and other macroeconomic changes. Impairments are recognized in operating results to the extent that the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, which is determined based on the net present value of estimated future cash flows.
Taxes on Income
Deferred taxes are recognized for the future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting based on enacted tax laws and rates. We establish valuation allowances for our deferred tax assets when the amount of expected future taxable income is not likely to support the use of the deduction or credit. We evaluate tax positions to determine whether the benefits of tax positions are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit based on the technical merits of the tax position. For tax positions that are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, we recognize the largest amount of the benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement in the financial statements. For tax positions that are not more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, we do not recognize any portion of the benefit in the financial statements. We recognize interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of Taxes on income in the combined statement of income.
Prior to the Separation, we did not maintain an income taxes payable to or from account as it is deemed to be settled with the tax paying entities in the respective jurisdictions. These settlements are reflected as changes in accumulated deficit in the consolidated balance sheet. However, our consolidated balance sheet reflects balances with taxing authorities and the one-time transition tax resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in 2017, as well as for unrecognized income tax benefits along with related interest and penalties.
Prior to the Separation, income tax expense and deferred tax balances in the consolidated financial statements were calculated on a separate tax return basis. We relied on certain assumptions, one of them that as a standalone basis we would not benefit from certain tax incentives that historically benefited Merck. We believe the assumptions supporting the allocation and presentation of income taxes on a separate return basis were reasonable.
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Inventory Valuation
Inventories consist of currently marketed products and are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventories are assessed regularly for impairment and valuation reserves are established when necessary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, product obsolescence and changes in estimates of future product demand and expiry. The determination of events and the assumptions utilized in our quantification of valuation reserves may require judgement. No material adjustments have been required to our inventory reserve estimates for the periods presented. Adverse changes in assumptions utilized in our inventory reserve calculations could result in an increase to our inventory valuation reserves and higher cost of sales.
Acquisitions
Business combinations are evaluated in order to determine whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. The Company makes certain judgments, which include assessment of the inputs, processes, and outputs associated with the acquired set of activities. If the Company determines that substantially all of the fair value of gross assets included in a transaction is concentrated in a single asset (or a group of similar assets), the Company accounts for the transaction as an asset acquisition. In an asset acquisition, acquired IPR&D with no alternative future use is charged to expense and contingent consideration is not recognized at the acquisition date. Product development milestones are recognized upon achievement and sales-based milestones are recognized when the milestone is deemed probable of being achieved.
To be considered a business, the assets in a transaction need to include an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. Businesses acquired are consolidated upon obtaining control. The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recognized at the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies are generally recognized at fair value. If fair value cannot be determined, the asset or liability is recognized if probable and reasonably estimable; if these criteria are not met, no asset or liability is recognized. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recognized as goodwill. Business acquisition costs are expensed when incurred.
The fair values of intangible assets are determined utilizing information available near the acquisition date based on expectations and assumptions that are deemed reasonable by management.
Pension
Our pension plans are calculated using actuarial assumptions including a discount rate for plan benefit obligations and an expected rate of return on plan assets. These significant assumptions are reviewed annually and are disclosed in Note 14 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
For our pension plans, the discount rate is evaluated on measurement dates and modified to reflect the prevailing market rate of a portfolio of high-quality fixed-income debt instruments that would provide the future cash flows needed to pay the benefits included in the benefit obligation as they come due.
The expected rate of return for the pension plans represents the average rate of return to be earned on plan assets over the period the benefits included in the benefit obligation are to be paid. In developing the expected rate of return, the Company considers long-term compound annualized returns of historical market data, current market conditions and actual returns on the Company’s plan assets. Using this reference information, the Company develops forward-looking return expectations for each asset category and a weighted-average expected long-term rate of return for a target portfolio allocated across these investment categories. The expected portfolio performance reflects the contribution of active management as appropriate.
Share-Based Compensation
We expense all share-based payment awards to employees, including grants of stock options, over the requisite service period based on the grant date fair value of the awards. The fair value of certain share-based awards is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model which uses both historical and current market data to estimate the fair value. This method incorporates various assumptions such as the risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, expected dividend yield and expected life of the options.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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