Merck Increases Earnings with Vaccines and Partnerships

    Strong sales of a vaccine that helps prevent cervical cancer, successful joint ventures and cost reductions from an ongoing global restructuring pushed third quarter net income for drug-maker Merck (MRK) to $1,525.5 million, compared with $940.6 million one year before.

    Earnings per share rose to .70 cents, or .75 cents excluding restructuring charges, the Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based pharmaceutical company announced Monday.  Merck also raised its 2007 earnings per share projections to $2.87 to $2.93, including restructuring.  Stocks reacted by rising 1.53 points, or 2.88% by the close of trading.

    Gardasil, the vaccine against the human papillomavirus that causes cervical cancer, accounted for $418 million of the company’s total revenue, which rose 12% for the quarter ending September 30 and was also driven by sales of the respiratory drug Singulair, the chicken pox vaccine Varivax and diabetes medication Januvia.