Peak Sales of Merck's Januvia Will Hit $10 Billion

“Bait the hook well; this fish will bite,” quipped Shakespeare’s Claudio in the playwright’s Much Ado About Nothing. To the contrary, investor shouldn’t bite – fears that the recent U.S. regulatory approval of Takeda’s Nesina (alogliptin) will mute the growth of Merck's (MRK-$43.10) Januvia franchise are unfounded. The Japanese drug maker’s DPP-4 inhibitor is attempting to launch on a crowded beachhead – facing established rivals, none of which have scored any notable inroads against Januvia. For example, Tradjenta (linagliptin), launched by Eli Lilly (LLY-$54.89) in June 2011, posted anemic sales in first-half 2012 of just $59.2 million (despite a niche marketing message focusing on alleged benefits for those type-2 diabetics with renal impairment). 

Continue Reading at YCharts: Why New Diabetes Drugs Won't Dethrone Merck's $5.7 Billion Januvia 

Editor David J Phillips does not hold a financial interest in any stocks mentioned in this article. The 10Q Detective has a Full Disclosure Policy.