WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., July 26, 2007 -
Merck & Co., Inc. today announced that Kenneth C. Frazier has been named executive vice president and president, Global Human Health, effective Aug. 1, 2007. Mr. Frazier is currently Merck's executive vice president and general counsel.
Mr. Frazier will oversee more than 30,000 employees and have direct responsibility for Merck's marketing and sales organizations worldwide including the global pharmaceutical and vaccine franchises. Under Mr. Frazier's leadership, the Global Human Health organization will prepare, launch and market new products to maximize their long-term potential; optimize the performance of existing Merck products; and ensure a high-performing marketing and sales operation worldwide. He also will work with his successor, Bruce N. Kuhlik, on the Company's VIOXX-related issues. Mr. Frazier will continue to report directly to Richard T. Clark, Merck's chairman, president and chief executive officer, and serve on the Company's executive committee.
"In Ken, we are fortunate to have an exceptional leader who knows the Company, its business and the industry intimately and who has a demonstrated ability to drive the transformation necessary to achieve our long-term objectives," said Mr. Clark.
Mr. Frazier has served as Merck's general counsel since 1999, first as senior vice president, and then promoted to executive vice president in 2006. Prior to that role, he held positions of increasing responsibility for Merck & Co., Inc. as vice president and deputy general counsel (1999), assistant general counsel for corporate staff (1997), and vice president of public affairs (1994). Mr. Frazier joined Merck in 1992 as vice president, general counsel and secretary of the Astra Merck Group. Before joining Merck, he was a partner with the Philadelphia firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath.
Mr. Frazier, 52, earned a B.A. in Political Science from Pennsylvania State University in 1975 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1978.
Bruce N. Kuhlik, who is being promoted to senior vice president, will succeed Mr. Frazier as general counsel with responsibility for Merck's legal and public affairs functions. He will report directly to Mr. Clark and serve as a member of the executive committee which evaluates and makes strategic decisions for the Company.
Regarding Mr. Kuhlik's appointment, Mr. Clark said, "The depth and breadth of Bruce's knowledge of the law, the pharmaceutical business and the regulatory regimes under which our Company operates enable him to make valuable contributions across a broad range of legal, business and policy matters, but especially leading our VIOXX litigation strategy."
Mr. Kuhlik joined Merck in 2005 as vice president and associate general counsel with primary responsibility for the Company's VIOXX litigation defense. Prior to that role, he was senior vice president and general counsel for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Earlier in his career, Mr. Kuhlik was a partner in the law firm of Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C. He also served as assistant to the solicitor general, arguing a number of cases before the U. S. Supreme Court.
Mr. Kuhlik, 50, earned an A.B. in Economics from Harvard College in 1978 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1981, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review.
About Merck
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck currently discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs. The Company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service. For more information, visit www.merck.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. The forward-looking statements may include statements regarding product development, product potential or financial performance. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Merck's business, particularly those mentioned in the risk factors and cautionary statements in Item 1A of Merck's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2006, and in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which the Company incorporates by reference.
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