April 25 (Reuters) - Bristol Myers Squibb ( BMY ) on

Thursday reported a first-quarter loss as charges related to its

recent acquisitions of Karuna Therapeutics, RayzeBio and Mirati

Therapeutics offset a 5% increase in revenue.

The New Jersey-based drugmaker posted a loss of $4.40 per

share, including charges for acquired research and development.

Analysts on average had expected a loss of $4.41 per share,

according to LSEG data.

On a net basis, Bristol's loss was $5.89 per share.

The company reported quarterly revenue of $11.87 billion,

exceeding the average analyst estimate of $11.48 billion.

For full year 2024, Bristol dramatically cut its adjusted

profit forecast to between 40 cents and 70 cents per share due

to deal expenses. The company had previously forecast earnings

of $7.10 to $7.40 per share.

Analysts had adjusted their full-year earnings estimates in

anticipation of the cut and now expect the company to earn 66

cents per share, still above the new midpoint of the range.

Bristol said it continues to expect 2024 revenue growth at a

rate in the low single digits.

Revenue growth in the quarter was primarily driven by higher

sales of blood thinner Eliquis, which Bristol shares with Pfizer ( PFE )

, anemia drug Reblozyl and melanoma treatment Opdualag,

the company said. That was partially offset by lower sales of

older cancer drugs Opdivo and Revlimid.

Quarterly sales of Opdivo fell 6% to $2.08 billion, missing

analyst estimates of $2.32 billion.

Global demand for Opdivo remained strong, but first-quarter

sales were affected by changes in U.S. buying patterns, Bristol

Myers Chief Commercialization Officer Adam Lenkowsky said in an

interview. He said Bristol is "confident we will see

accelerating growth this year."

The company is expecting the cancer immunotherapy to lose

patent protection later this decade and has been pursuing

outside assets to restock its drug development pipeline.

Bristol Myers has already faced pressure from generic

competition for Revlimid, once its top-selling drug.

Current top seller Eliquis is expected to have revenue

somewhat curtailed when the U.S. Medicare health plan for people

over age 65 institutes negotiated drug prices starting in 2026.