How Wilson, N.C., plays a critical role in our commitment to supply
Meet the North Carolina-based manufacturing team that’s producing and packaging our investigational oral antiviral COVID-19 medicine
March 2, 2022
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From the earliest stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, we knew we had a responsibility to rise to the challenge of this unique moment. That’s why our teams mobilized like never before to ensure we were ready to address a global need.
In late 2020, our manufacturing teams began utilizing our global supply network — including sites in nine countries across three continents — to start production of our investigational oral antiviral COVID-19 medicine. This monumental effort made it possible for us to produce 10 million courses of therapy in 2021, with at least another 20 million on track for 2022.
A major part of that effort takes place in Wilson, North Carolina, where our colleagues are working tirelessly to carry out our mission and ensure supply during this crucial time.
“This is a perfect example of the company coming together as one team with a single goal,” said Francisco Toste, associate vice president, plant management at the Wilson site. “I am proud to work for our great company because of the impact that we make for patients around the world in helping them combat serious disease.”
Meet the team in Wilson behind this heroic effort:
Dean Li: Agility is ‘about letting the data guide you’
The president of Merck Research Laboratories discusses how managing priorities is a key to scientific success
January 13, 2022
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For Dean Li, knowing how to foster an environment of curiosity and cultivate the agility necessary to maximize unique moments is a key part of his job as president of Merck Research Laboratories.
“There are certain times when you see something in a clinical trial that reshapes how you think about a field. That’s an inflection point that may fundamentally change the course of how you think about medicine,” he said.
“Lots of things are changing in medicine. We’re a company that has to always be on the lookout for new technologies that can allow you to address problems that couldn’t be addressed previously.”
A translational scientist and cardiologist, Li joined our company in 2017 as head of translational medicine and discovery from the University of Utah, where he’d co-founded several biotechnology companies based upon research conducted in his laboratory. It’s an experience-rich background that gives unique insight into how to steer an organization’s exploratory efforts.
“When I look at a complex organization, I’m also coming from a startup world,” Li said. “You have to decide where you’re going to focus at the moment. There are going to be shifts of prioritization and resources, depending on the moment in time, and that’s where judgment comes in. Agility only works if you have a breadth of understanding. It’s about letting the data guide you.”
“You have to have phase-appropriate investments. We're in an industry where we have to think about multiple timelines, how we can impact patients today, and how we can help the patients of tomorrow.”
A major strategy of Li’s approach to future developments has been how we learn from failure and build upon successes.
“Much of our pipeline has been focusing on the immunology of cancer, and it turns out that is very similar to immunology related to neurosciences, to cardiovascular metabolism, to infectious disease and vaccines,” he said. “We’ve built this incredible machinery, which can provide opportunities for new and different ways to think about treating diseases, built on insights from this work on immunology of cancer.”
Priming the people pipeline
While Li has been focused on our product and technology pipelines, there’s another aspect that’s just as important to prioritize: the people pipeline — bringing the right new talent into our organization to enhance our work.
“Science and technologies are rapidly evolving, and it is important that we recruit people with the right expertise and experience to advance our capabilities,” Li said. “We need to merge that new talent with our deep experience. It’s trying to create the right stew with the right spices.”
For Li, getting that balance right is key to assuring we have the agility and breadth we need to serve patients today as well as tomorrow.
When the world needs us, together we rise to the challenge
Merck CEO & President Rob Davis shares news with colleagues about our investigational COVID-19 medicine
December 23, 2021
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Dear Colleagues,
Today, we announced the emergency use authorization of molnupiravir, our investigational oral antiviral COVID-19 medicine, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The action today taken by the FDA to authorize a pill for COVID-19 treatment that can be taken at home marks an important milestone in the pandemic. With this news, certain patients in the U.S. in consultation with their health care providers will soon be able to access this medicine, consistent with its authorized use.
As I reflect on the significance of this moment and the efforts that we have undertaken, united as one team, I am extremely proud of the innovation, hard work and commitment that we’ve demonstrated to bring this important medicine forward. Since the beginning, we committed to help fight the pandemic and protect global health by ensuring that any medicine or vaccine we developed for COVID-19 would be broadly available, and we have acted with urgency and diligence to do just that.
This is certainly a moment for reflection and recognition of the many milestones we achieved throughout this journey as a team, in partnership with Ridgeback, clinical trial investigators and participants, and others. We completed a successful clinical trial for an oral antiviral COVID-19 medicine; we scaled up manufacturing to produce more courses, sooner, than we had ever done before; and, we entered voluntary licensing agreements with generic manufacturers and the Medicines Patent Pool to create rapid and equitable global access for this medicine in low- and middle-income countries.
It is amazing and rewarding to see what we can accomplish – together – with focus, agility and with patients at the center of our efforts. I want to thank our collaborators, and each and every one of you, for relentlessly working to bring yet another impactful medicine forward in service of our mission to save and improve lives.
This medicine has not been approved in the U.S., but has been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). The authorized use of the product is described in the EUA and authorized labeling. The emergency use of this product is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of drugs and biological products during the COVID-19 pandemic under Section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the declaration is terminated or authorization revoked sooner.
Creating a new world in Minecraft for students to explore
Periodic Odyssey
November 8, 2021
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Our passion for invention isn’t limited to the health care industry and the patients we serve; it drives us to inspire the next generation of inventors. So, we created a new approach to science-based learning.
Periodic Odyssey is a new world in Minecraft where students explore, search for and find elements from the periodic table and unlock the power of science with special in-game rewards.
Using the game’s traditional pickaxe and custom element-inspired skins, players will explore our completely unique, immersive Minecraft map to hunt for all naturally-occurring elements.
After bringing the elements back to the science lab, they’ll see the fruits of their labor, amassing the collection of found elements, unlocking sections of the lab by doing so, and being rewarded with special tools to help with their search as the rarer elements become more challenging to find. It all adds up to make screen time into learning time, and to spark inspiration in budding scientists.
This new map will be available in both Minecraft: Education Edition, for use in classrooms, and Minecraft, open to all players all over the world.
Our hope is that we can foster an interest in the sciences among young people that will lead to a future full of invention.
"Periodic Odyssey has the potential to increase student familiarity with both those elements (and symbols) met in a typical school curriculum as well as those, such as the rare earth elements, that are integral to modern life."
Ken Frazier named Chief Executive’s 2021 CEO of the Year
Our executive chairman of the board and former CEO joins a list of legendary executives for his long record of leadership
October 27, 2021
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“I don’t think you can do anything important if you’re not willing to take a stand and be criticized.”
Ken Frazier
Executive chairman of the board and former CEO of Merck
This bold and determined mindset complemented with strong leadership is what led Chief Executive magazine’s CEO of the Year Selection Committee to name Ken Frazier 2021 CEO of the Year.
By receiving this honor, Frazier joins a list of legendary executives, including Bill Gates, Brian Moynihan, Michael Dell and his fellow Merck CEO Roy Vagelos, among others.
Frazier was selected by an independent committee of distinguished peer CEOs, who recognize his leadership at Merck driving transformation and growth to help produce powerful results for patients, stakeholders and society.
Inside Ken Frazier’s long game
In the fall 2021 issue of Chief Executive magazine, the feature “Inside Ken Frazier’s Long Game” tells the inspiring story of how a man from working-class Philadelphia made his way to become CEO of one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The article profiles Frazier’s transformational leadership inside and outside of our company, from refocusing the company on research to his years of commitment to racial equality and social justice issues.
“Ken is a remarkable leader with the vision and determination to do what’s right for society while delivering long-term value for shareholders. His leadership at a time when society needed him most has been exemplary,” said Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America and Chief Executive’s 2020 CEO of the Year.
Frazier speaks to the importance of research and development and how he made that his long-term focus during his time as CEO. He reiterates the value of seeking out the right scientific talent and creating an environment to enable breakthrough research and trusting that those discoveries will help make a difference in the world.
“My job is to create an environment where I say science is what we’re all about. It’s what we invest in. It’s what we value. And we’ll hire the best scientists and create an environment where they can do what they’re going to do.”
Ken Frazier
He touches on our company’s early COVID-19 efforts and what we’re doing now, as well as his efforts to address issues surrounding racial equality in the U.S., including signing on as co-chair of the OneTen coalition.
2021 CEO of the Year celebration
Chief Executive magazine honored Frazier on Oct. 26 at the CEO of the Year celebration in New York, alongside 2020 CEO of the Year winner Brian Moynihan.
“A great CEO delivers for shareholders and society. I couldn’t think of anyone who defines that more than Ken,” said Moynihan.
The event was followed by a panel where Frazier and Moynihan discussed lessons in leadership.
“I’ve had the privilege of leading a company that is led by very purpose-driven people,” said Frazier. “What I’ve learned is how important it is for companies to be purposeful and to think about the welfare of your people all the time. My job is to reinforce that every chance I get.”
Looking ahead
When asked if he’s optimistic about the future, Frazier told the magazine, “I am optimistic. Because I believe all of us have agency. As long as we believe in what this country stands for, we can make a difference. It’s all about CEOs deciding that they are going to lead their companies in a way that not only creates a fair return for their shareholders but creates a fair return for our society.”
Mitos y realidades sobre la enfermedad neumocócica
Analizamos posibles percepciones erróneas sobre la enfermedad neumocócica y su impacto en niños y adultos.
September 9, 2021
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Enfermedad neumocócica se llama a cualquier infección causada por una bacteria llamada Streptococcus pneumoniae, también conocida como neumococo. Las infecciones neumocócicas pueden incluir infecciones del oído y la nariz, neumonía e infecciones del torrente sanguíneo (bacteriemia).
Mito: La enfermedad neumocócica no es grave.
Realidad: La infección neumocócica contribuye a la muerte y a la enfermedad en todo el mundo.
La neumonía neumocócica, por ejemplo, es una de las principales causas infecciosas de muerte en niños pequeños alrededor del mundo. Como otro ejemplo, cada año en los EE. UU., la neumonía neumocócica causa un estimado de 150.000 hospitalizaciones.
Mito: La enfermedad neumocócica siempre es neumonía.
Realidad: La neumonía neumocócica (cuando se limita a los pulmones) y la neumonía bacteriémica (neumonía con bacteriemia) son solo dos tipos de enfermedades causadas por bacterias neumocócicas.
Además de las enfermedades más comunes, como la sinusitis e infecciones del oído medio, los casos más graves de enfermedad neumocócica ocurren cuando la bacteria neumocócica invade partes del cuerpo que normalmente no tienen gérmenes, como el torrente sanguíneo en el caso de la bacteriemia. Esto se llama enfermedad neumocócica “invasiva”.
Además, la meningitis neumocócica es una infección rara pero grave de la membrana que cubre el cerebro y la médula espinal. Esto puede provocar complicaciones a largo plazo, como daño cerebral, pérdida de la audición y convulsiones.
Mito: Hay solo una cepa de bacteria que causa la enfermedad neumocócica.
Realidad: Existen numerosos tipo únicos de bacterias neumocócicas, denominados serotipos.
Los tipos de bacteria se diferencian dediversasmaneras: algunos son más prevalentes en un país que en otro, otros es más probable que causen ciertos tipos de enfermedades neumocócicas, y otros es más probable que sean responsables de los casos más graves.
Mito: La enfermedad neumocócica afecta a todas las personas por igual.
Realidad: Cualquier persona puede contraer la enfermedad neumocócica, pero algunas personas corren más riesgo.
Si bien los adultos y los niños sanos pueden padecer de la enfermedad neumocócica, las personas con más riesgo incluyen niños de menos de 2 años de edad, adultos mayores de más de 65 años y personas con ciertas afecciones crónicas, como enfermedades del corazón, diabetes u enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC).
Mito: La COVID-19 y la neumonía neumocócica son lo mismo.
Realidad: La neumonía es una infección pulmonar que puede ser el resultado de una serie de causas, incluidos virus, bacterias y hongos.
Aunque la causa de la neumonía no siempre es la bacteria neumocócica, esta es una causa frecuente. A la neumonía neumocócica la causa una bacteria llamada Streptococcus pneumoniae, mientras que a la COVID-19 la causa un virus llamado SARS-CoV-2. Son distintas enfermedades, pero la neumonía neumocócica y la COVID-19 sí comparten ciertos factores de riesgo, incluidos la edad avanzada y ciertas afecciones médicas preexistentes.
Podcast: How to bridge diversity gaps in cancer clinical trials
Luther Clark talks with Lazarex Cancer Foundation's Dana Dornsife and Marya Shegog about increasing access among historically underrepresented communities
May 17, 2021
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Diversity in cancer clinical trials is essential to show if potential treatments are safe and work well for people of all different communities. That’s why it’s crucial to break down barriers and increase participation in cancer clinical trials among historically underrepresented communities.
In this podcast, Luther Clark, Merck’s deputy chief patient officer, speaks with the Lazarex Cancer Foundation’s founder and CEO, Dana Dornsife, and its health equity and diversity coordinator, Marya Shegog, about the work they’ve been doing — and the work that still needs to be done — to foster health equity through cancer clinical trials.
Our commitment to HIV treatments and prevention through the years
We continue to work at the forefront of the fight against HIV
March 15, 2021
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HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) continues to be a major public health threat. The virus can lead to AIDS.
Since 1985, our company has been engaged in research and development (R&D) efforts in the prevention and treatment of HIV. Over the years, our scientists have made significant discoveries that changed the way HIV is treated. Here are some historical moments highlighting this effort:
In 1982, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first used the term “AIDS,” or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, to describe the clinical syndrome caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
In the mid-1980s, Merck launched its HIV research program in response to what it perceived as a potential epidemic. Our scientists were among the first to discover and develop medicines for the treatment of HIV.
We were the first to publish the crystal structure of HIV protease, which is an enzyme which is essential for virus infectivity.
In 1992, Merck joined other pharmaceutical companies to create the Inter-Company Collaboration for AIDS Drug Development to research HIV treatments. By 1993, we were undertaking the biggest research program in our history, deploying more scientists to investigate AIDS than any other disease and testing tens of thousands of compounds.
The HIV/AIDS community continued to speak out for action. In 1995, Linda Distlerath, former executive director, Public Policy and Merck Research Laboratories Public Affairs, spent time reading letters sent from thousands of AIDS patients and activists urging Merck to produce a treatment for the disease quickly.
After years of study and development, Merck developed one of the first protease inhibitors. In 1995, prior to FDA approval, in conjunction with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, patients and HIV advocacy groups, Merck offered a program that made its new HIV treatment available at no cost to selective patients before it was commercially available.
In 1996, the HIV treatment received FDA approval in a record-setting 42 days. It was an important early achievement in making HIV a survivable infection.
In 2012, The NAMES Project Foundation – with support from Merck – launched Call My Name national tour to bring attention to the distressing trajectory of the HIV epidemic in the Black communities in the U.S. The tour included creating new panels for the AIDS memorial quilt and educational workshops in 10 high-prevalence cities.
In 2021, we entered into an agreement with Gilead to work together in the global HIV community in the fight against HIV.
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Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.
The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov). No Duty to Update
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