Merck Streamlines Healthcare Management
Merck announced the re-organization of its Healthcare top management team as the business enters a new strategic phase aimed at accelerating future growth.
Effective September 30, Merck’s largest business sector will be governed by the Healthcare Executive Committee, which will comprise four business functions and three supporting functions replacing the current Pharma Executive Committee. Like the existing committee, the new Healthcare Executive Committee will be chaired by Belén Garijo, Member of the Executive Board of Merck and CEO Merck Healthcare.
“After having successfully restructured our business and rebuilt our pipeline, we are simplifying our organization to focus on driving the growth of our Healthcare business,” Garijo said. “With this new organization, we aim to accelerate the delivery of our pipeline in immuno-oncology, immunology and oncology, prepare for new global launches as well as maximize opportunities of our inline portfolio.”
On the Healthcare Executive Committee, Simon Sturge will assume the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer overseeing all commercial regions and countries. In addition, his responsibilities will include the General Medicine franchise, which consists of products to treat cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, as well as Global Manufacturing and Supply. He will continue to oversee the Biosimilars and Allergopharma businesses, which he currently leads.
Rehan Verjee, currently General Manager Canada, will join the Healthcare Executive Committee as Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer. In his new role, he will be in charge of the business’ global specialty franchises of Oncology, Neurology and Immunology, Fertility and Medical Devices as well as the global immuno-oncology alliance with Pfizer and various strategic functions including Business Development.
Luciano Rossetti will continue to lead the Global R&D function as a member of the Healthcare Executive Committee. There will be no implications for the existing R&D strategy and operating model.
Jitinder Saini will assume the new role of Global Chief of Staff and Head of the Strategy Realization Office and join the Healthcare Executive Committee.
Andreas Stickler, Global Head of Healthcare Controlling, Randall Bradford, Global Head of Healthcare Human Resources, and Monika Dorda, Global Head of Healthcare Legal, will also be members of the Healthcare Executive Committee. Uta Kemmerich-Keil, CEO of Consumer Health, will continue to report directly to Belén Garijo.
Over the past four years, Merck has completely overhauled its Healthcare business and is now focusing on executing its three-pronged strategy, namely driving key pipeline projects such as its investigational cancer immunotherapy avelumab; maximizing its existing portfolio with drugs such as Rebif to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis and its oncology drug Erbitux; as well as expanding further in growth markets.
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