About the Company
Merck & Co. is an American-based multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Kenilworth, New Jersey. On Jan 2, 1970, Merck & Co. began trading on NYSE and NASDAQ under the symbol of ‘’MRK’’. Merck & Co. shares are enlisted in the DJIA, S&P 100, and S&P 500 indexes. As of 2019, this company holds an employee base of above 70000. Merck & Co.’s operations are segregated into four domains, namely Pharmaceutical, Animal Health, Healthcare Services, and Alliances. Merck & Co., Inc focuses on Oncology, Infectious diseases, vaccines, Cardio-metabolic disorders, and inventions and developments.
Products offered under its Pharmaceutical segment includes Arcoxia, Clarinex, Januvia, and Janumet. The Animal Health segment of Merck & Co.’s invents, develops, produces, and promotes animal health products as well as vaccines. Its Consumer healthcare segment develops, produces, and advertises OTC products, sun care and foot care products. The legacy products of this company include the first mumps vaccine and the first rubella vaccine. It’s also partnered with AstraZeneca LP for the sales of Nexium and Prilosec.
This company started its journey as an independent American company from 1917. In the United States and Canada, the company continued to function under its initial name and elsewhere it is referred to as Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD). Merck & Co., Inc was incorporated in New Jersey in 1970. Merck & Co. is associated with various philanthropic activities. It is the first American pharmaceutical company to provide a Patient Assistance program to individuals incapable of purchasing medicines. The company had also initiated the first commercial manufacturing of morphine.
Merck & Co. has acquired over 20 companies since its inception. Among those, 12 of them occurred in the last five years. Its acquisition of the Philadelphia-based Sharp & Dohme in 1953 made the company the largest US drug manufacturer. Of all the acquisition to date, the largest was when it bought off its competitor, Schering-Plough for $41.1 billion in 2009. Another significant acquisition of Merck & Co. includes Idenix Pharmaceuticals for nearly $3.85 billion. It sold Merial to Sanofi SA in 2009 for $4 billion.
The year 2020 has earned Merck & Co. several awards. The company held 4th position in two categories, including Best Employees for New Grads 2020 and America’s Best Employers By State 2020. Also, it ranked 92nd in Forbes’ Global 2000 2020 list. The company ranked 69th on the list of Fortune 500 companies 2020 as well.;
Organisation | Merck & Co Inc |
Industry | Drug Manufacturers—General |
HeadQuarters | Kenilworth, NJ |