- Business
- Merck & Co., Inc. is a global healthcare company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, founded in 1891. It discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biologic therapies, and animal health products. Its core pharmaceutical products include Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for cancer immunotherapy; Lynparza (olaparib) for BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer; Lenvima (lenvatinib) for thyroid cancer; Welireg (belzutifan) for von Hippel–Lindau disease-associated renal cell carcinoma; and Reblozyl (luspatercept) for anemia treatment. Merck’s vaccine portfolio includes Gardasil for human papillomavirus (HPV), ProQuad/M-M-R II/Varivax combination vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella, as well as Pneumovax 23 and other vaccines for infectious diseases. The animal health segment offers vaccines and pharmaceutical products for livestock and companion animals.
Recent major developments include the pending acquisition of Verona Pharma, which adds Ohtuvayre, a first-in-class dual phosphodiesterase 3 and 4 inhibitor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment, approved by the FDA in June 2024. Merck also announced a multiyear optimization initiative expected to save $3 billion annually by 2027, redirecting investments to its growth drivers and pipeline, alongside a restructuring program focusing on administrative and R&D efficiencies. Expansion projects include a $1 billion biologics center of excellence in Wilmington, Delaware, for Keytruda production and an $895 million expansion of its animal health manufacturing facility in Kansas.
Merck operates globally with key markets in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Africa, China, Japan, and Latin America. It serves a broad range of customers across oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, and animal health sectors. The company continues to invest heavily in research, manufacturing, and commercial capabilities to support innovation-driven growth and strategic pipeline development.
This description incorporates Merck’s comprehensive product portfolio, strategic acquisitions, and recent operational adjustments reflecting its drive to maintain leadership in pharmaceuticals and vaccines while expanding its cardio-pulmonary and animal health offerings.