
NYSE:MRK
Still owns share in company
Very strong pandemic performance.
Excellent margins in healthcare business.
Very bright outlook for business.
Demand for healthcare products not slowing down.
Expecting new pharma products in the R&D pipeline.
Lots of outstanding patents that protects business model.
Just announced that Merck will buy Prometheus Biosciences for $10.8 billion. He's been keen on Prometheus ever since they announced phase-2 results of their main drug drug, which treats inflammatory bowel disease. Merck is eager to diversify away from their anti-cancer drug. PB has almost no revenues, but he feels this will be one of the greatest buys in pharma history.
Once consumer division gets spun out, JNJ will look more like MRK as a pure pharma play. He owns MRK, and it's performed defensively well, with a strong portfolio. JNJ is more diversified, but MRK is a better company.