Merck & Co., Inc., known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, is a global pharmaceutical company tracing its origins to the Merck family's 1668 pharmacy in Darmstadt, Germany. The U.S. subsidiary was established in 1891 and has since grown through innovation, acquisitions, and global expansion, becoming a leader in prescription medicines, vaccines, and animal health.
Friedrich Jacob Merck acquires the Engell-Apotheke in Darmstadt, Germany, laying the foundation for the Merck family's pharmaceutical business. #pharma #history
Emanuel Merck starts large-scale production of alkaloids such as morphine and codeine, transitioning from an apothecary to an industrial pharmaceutical manufacturer. #pharma #innovation
Theodore Weicker establishes Merck & Co. in New York as a U.S. subsidiary of the German Merck KGaA, importing and selling specialty chemicals. #corporate #history
First edition of the Merck Manual, a medical reference guide, is published, becoming a widely used resource for healthcare professionals. #medicine #publishing
During World War I, the U.S. government seizes Merck & Co. as enemy property, later selling it to George Merck, who reincorporates it as an independent American company. #war #corporate
Merck scientists isolate and crystallize vitamin B12, leading to treatments for pernicious anemia. #biochemistry #vitamins
George W. Merck, son of founder George Merck, becomes president and later chairman, guiding the company through WWII and postwar expansion. #leadership #history
Merck collaborates with Rutgers University to scale up production of streptomycin, the first effective antibiotic against tuberculosis. #antibiotics #medicine
Merck merges with Sharp & Dohme, a pharmaceutical company founded in 1843, forming Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) and strengthening its research and sales capabilities. #merger #pharma
Merck introduces Diuril, the first thiazide diuretic, revolutionizing the treatment of hypertension. #hypertension #drugs
Merck forms MSD International to coordinate overseas operations, expanding its global footprint in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. #globalization #corporate
Merck launches Aldomet, an antihypertensive medication that becomes a cornerstone of high blood pressure treatment. #hypertension #medicine
Merck receives approval for Recombivax HB, the first recombinant human vaccine, using genetically engineered yeast to produce hepatitis B surface antigen. #vaccines #biotechnology
Merck develops ivermectin (Mectizan), which proves effective against river blindness and later donated for onchocerciasis eradication in Africa. #parasitology #philanthropy
Roy Vagelos, a physician and biochemist, becomes CEO, leading Merck's research-driven strategy and ethical drug pricing policies. #leadership #CEO
Merck introduces Mevacor, the first statin approved by the FDA, revolutionizing cholesterol management and cardiovascular disease prevention. #statins #cardiovascular
Merck announces it will donate Mectizan (ivermectin) to treat onchocerciasis in endemic countries, one of the largest drug donation programs in history. #philanthropy #globalhealth
Merck forms a 50:50 joint venture with Swedish Astra AB to market gastrointestinal drugs like Prilosec and Nexium in the U.S., strengthening its GI portfolio. #partnership #pharma
Merck launches Fosamax, a bisphosphonate for osteoporosis, becoming a blockbuster drug and standard of care for bone health. #osteoporosis #drugs
Merck spins off its pharmacy benefit management (PBM) arm, Merck-Medco, into a separate publicly traded company, Medco Health Solutions. #corporate #restructuring
Merck receives FDA approval for Vioxx, a COX-2 inhibitor for arthritis pain, which later becomes infamous for cardiovascular risks leading to its withdrawal. #drugs #controversy
Merck's Gardasil vaccine against human papillomavirus begins clinical trials, subsequently approved in 2006 for cervical cancer prevention. #vaccines #cancer
Merck voluntarily withdraws Vioxx after studies confirm increased risk of heart attack and stroke, leading to thousands of lawsuits and a $4.85 billion settlement. #drugsafety #litigation
Richard T. Clark, a veteran Merck executive, takes over as CEO, guiding the company through the Vioxx aftermath and restructuring. #leadership #CEO
Merck acquires Sirna Therapeutics for $1.1 billion to gain entry into RNA interference (RNAi) technology for gene silencing therapies. #biotech #acquisition
Merck acquires Schering-Plough in a $41.1 billion stock-and-cash merger, creating a new global powerhouse with a strong pipeline and animal health business. #merger #pharma
Merck launches Janumet, a combination diabetes drug, building on the success of Januvia (sitagliptin) and becoming a top-selling diabetes treatment. #diabetes #drugs
Kenneth Frazier, a lawyer and long-time Merck executive, is appointed CEO, becoming one of the few African-American CEOs of a major pharmaceutical company. #leadership #diversity
Merck receives accelerated approval for Keytruda, an anti-PD-1 immunotherapy for advanced melanoma, revolutionizing cancer treatment. #immunotherapy #cancer
Merck's animal health division expands in Brazil by acquiring Sementes Total, a livestock genetics company, strengthening its animal health portfolio. #animalhealth #acquisition
The two Merck companies reach a global settlement allowing Merck KGaA to use the Merck name outside the U.S. and Canada, while Merck & Co. retains rights in North America. #legal #trademark
FDA expands Keytruda's approval to include first-line treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, dramatically increasing its market potential. #cancer #FDA
Merck acquires Peloton Therapeutics for up to $2.2 billion to gain a HIF-2α inhibitor for kidney cancer, expanding its oncology pipeline. #oncology #acquisition
Merck begins developing and manufacturing candidate vaccines and treatments for COVID-19, including molnupiravir (Lagevrio) and collaborating on vaccine production. #COVID19 #pharma
Merck completes the spinoff of its animal health division into a separate company, later named Elanco Animal Health, to focus on human health. #corporate #spinoff
FDA grants Emergency Use Authorization for molnupiravir, an oral antiviral for COVID-19 developed by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics. #COVID19 #antiviral
Merck completes $11.5 billion acquisition of Acceleron Pharma, gaining the drug sotatercept for pulmonary arterial hypertension. #biotech #acquisition
Robert M. Davis succeeds Kenneth Frazier as CEO of Merck, continuing leadership focused on pipeline development and global expansion. #leadership #CEO
Merck receives FDA approval for Winrevair, the first activin signaling inhibitor to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, acquired via Acceleron. #drugapproval #cardiology
Merck posts record annual revenue of $62 billion, driven by Keytruda sales, vaccine portfolio, and new product launches. #finance #revenue