German drugmaker Bayer said its two best-selling drugs had a higher annual peak sales potential than previously targeted, after the agreed $66 billion takeover of Monsanto (MON) stirred criticism it might neglect its pharmaceuticals business.
Bayer now expects annual peak sales of more than 5 billion euros ($5.6 billion) for stroke prevention pill Xarelto, jointly sold with Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), where it had previously seen about 3.5 billion.
For the eye medicine Eylea, jointly developed with Regeneron , it now sees peak sales potential of more than 2.5 billion euros, up from at least 1.5 billion previously.
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Also underpinned by cancer drug Xofigo and pulmonary hypertension treatment Adempas, the group’s prescription drugs unit aims to increase earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), adjusted for special items, to 32-34% of sales in 2018, up from 30.1% last year.
The smaller animal health unit could also slightly increase margins, Bayer (BAYRY) said.
In consumer health, previously boosted by the acquisition of brands from Merck & Co (MRK), it now sees sales adjusted for currency swings growing by between 4 and 5% by the end of 2018 and an adjusted EBITDA margin of about 25%, up from 24% in 2015.
Bayer has “underestimated the country risk from Emerging Markets volatility”, the company said in presentation slides.
It also cited “stronger business disruption than anticipated during the integration of Merck Consumer Care and Dihon in China”, referring to a Chinese non-prescription drugs unit it acquired in 2014.
“2018 EBITDA guidance for Pharma and Animal Health may … offer some upside against consensus, though the consumer margin guidance may disappoint slightly,” Jefferies analysts said in a note to investors.
Bayer shares were up 2.65% at 0905 GMT.
