Merck sales disappoint as Januvia, Remicade fall short

Merck & Co Inc on Thursday reported lower-than-expected quarterly revenue, hurt by disappointing sales of its Januvia diabetes treatment and Remicade arthritis drug. Combined sales of Januvia and a related combination medicine called Janumet edged up 1 percent to $1.41 billion, $30 million shy of Wall Street expectations. Demand for the drugs, Merck's biggest franchise and former sparkplugs for company growth, has waned due to new competition, including from Eli Lilly & Co's Jardiance an