Rob Davis on strengthening our pipeline through business development
Merck’s chairman and CEO spoke with the Financial Times about dealmaking, pipeline expansion and delivering for patients
April 14, 2026
In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Merck Chairman and CEO Rob Davis shared how, when it comes to investing in our pipeline of innovative medicines and vaccines, we always put patients first.
This mindset drives our approach to advancing the best internal and external science where we see science and value align and is fueling the evolution of the strongest and deepest pipeline in our company’s history.
The outlet noted that Davis has led our company through a period of significant dealmaking, with one outcome being that we currently have 22 medicines in the final stages of clinical trials compared to 15 in 2023. “We have as rich a Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 pipeline as we’ve ever had in this company,” Davis said. He also expressed the importance of moving with focus and urgency, as well as discipline, to rapidly progress the next wave of innovation. “The earlier we bet, the more conviction my scientists have to have,” he said.
As we continue to complement our internal innovation and discovery efforts with patient-focused business development to drive impact for all who depend on us, we remain committed to delivering on our purpose of using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world.
