Merck (MSD)

Merck (MSD) created one of the most consequential vaccines in modern medicine, Gardasil, which targets the human papillomavirus strains responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases worldwide. That achievement is emblematic of a company whose research has shaped global public health across more than a century of operation. Founded in 1891 as a subsidiary of the German Merck Group before becoming an independent entity, Merck operates under the MSD name outside the United States and Canada, giving it one of the more recognisable dual identities in the pharmaceutical industry.

Oncology & Keytruda

No single product better defines Merck's current position than Keytruda (pembrolizumab), the PD-1 inhibitor that has become the world's best-selling prescription medicine by revenue. Keytruda holds regulatory approvals across a broad range of tumour types, including non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, head and neck cancers, and several others, cementing Merck's status as one of the dominant forces in cancer immunotherapy. The scale of the Keytruda programme, which spans hundreds of clinical studies in combination and monotherapy settings, reflects a research and development investment that runs to the tens of billions of dollars annually.

Vaccines, Infectious Disease & Animal Health

Beyond oncology, Merck maintains a substantial vaccines portfolio that extends from childhood immunisation programmes to travel medicine and hospital-acquired infections. The company's antiviral legacy includes longstanding contributions to HIV treatment and, more recently, Lagevrio (molnupiravir) for COVID-19. A dedicated Animal Health division, one of the largest in the world, supplies vaccines and medicines for both livestock and companion animals, underscoring the breadth of the Merck enterprise.

Headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, Merck trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker MRK and employs tens of thousands of people across research, manufacturing, and commercial operations in more than 140 countries. Its pipeline spans infectious diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and several rare diseases, reflecting a deliberate strategy to extend leadership beyond immunology and oncology into areas of significant unmet medical need.

Further information is available at merck.com.