Merck said on Monday that it will split its human-health operations into two separate divisions, a move designed to sharpen focus across its portfolio and ensure smoother launches of new medicines. The move comes as the drugmaker seeks to prepare for mounting sales pressure later this decade, driven by the looming loss of exclusivity for its top-selling cancer drug Keytruda, which will also expose it to lower-cost copycat competition.
Investors gave a collective meh to news that Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK, XETRA:6MK) is reportedly restructuring its human-health division, with shares marking time in premarket trading despite a reorganisation that signals the US drugmaker is bracing for the biggest revenue hit in its recent history. The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that Merck plans to separate its human-health operations into two distinct divisions.
Drugmaker Merck is separating its human-health business into two divisions to offset pressures related to the patent loss of its top-selling drug Keytruda, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
| Diversified Consumer Services Industry | Consumer Discretionary Sector | Robert Davis CEO | XETRA Exchange | US58933Y1055 ISIN |
| US Country | 73,000 Employees | 16 Mar 2026 Last Dividend | 3 Jun 2021 Last Split | 13 Jan 1978 IPO Date |
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global healthcare leader focused on innovating new solutions to tackle some of the most serious health challenges. Founded in 1891 and headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, the company operates worldwide, engaging in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceuticals and animal health products. It operates two main segments: Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The Pharmaceutical segment is dedicated to developing and offering human health pharmaceutical products across a range of areas including oncology, cardiovascular, and diabetes, among others. The Animal Health segment works on veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health management solutions and services. Merck serves a diverse clientele, including drug wholesalers, retailers, hospitals, government agencies, physicians, veterinarians, and pet owners. Notably, the company invests in several strategic collaborations and agreements with other pharmaceutical giants like AstraZeneca PLC and Bayer AG, aiming to enhance its product offerings and harness innovative treatments for multiple diseases.
The products and services offered by Merck & Co., Inc. span a broad spectrum of medical needs in both human and animal health sectors:
In the arena of collaborative efforts, Merck has entered into multiple significant agreements to bolster its product pipeline: