Merck says new growth opportunities to drive revenue of $70 billion by mid-2030s

Jan 12 (Reuters) - Merck MRK.N said on Monday it has raised its outlook for new growth drivers, forecasting $70 billion in revenue from these fresh businesses by the mid-2030s, as it accelerates the launch of additional drugs ahead of looming competition to its blockbuster cancer therapy Keytruda.

The drugmaker now expects cardiometabolic and respiratory treatments to generate about $20 billion in sales, up from a previous forecast of $15 billion, while infectious disease drugs are projected to contribute roughly $15 billion, compared with an earlier estimate of $5 billion.