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December 6, 2011 1:30 am ET

Commits $1.5 Billion to R&D in China Over The Next 5 Years

Merck & Co., Inc., (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States
and Canada, today announced the establishment of an Asia Research &
Development (R&D) headquarters for innovative drug discovery and
development located in Beijing, China. The new facility is part of a
$1.5 billion commitment the company has made to invest in R&D in China
over the next five years.

“The establishment of the MSD Asia R&D headquarters represents an
important milestone as we implement our strategy of building
capabilities, and relationships to succeed in fast growing geographic
regions,” said Peter S. Kim, Ph.D., president, Merck Research
Laboratories. “By strategically locating in China, we are able to
complement our existing R&D capabilities, and facilitate new
collaborations with scientists in the region and across emerging
markets.”

Located in Wangjing Park, one of Beijing’s rapidly expanding science and
technology parks, the facility will consist of 47,000 square meters of
office and laboratory space. The first phase of construction, scheduled
to be completed by 2014, will provide capacity for approximately 600
employees working in the areas of drug discovery, translational
research, clinical development, regulatory affairs and external
scientific research programs.

“Merck/MSD has a proud legacy of translating scientific breakthroughs
into novel medicines and vaccines with proven ability to impact global
human health,” said Michel Vounatsos, chairman and president, MSD in
China. “We are immensely proud of the impact that MSD’s medicines and
vaccines have had on improving health for the people of China as we have
grown our business here, and are we eager to build on this legacy by
directly investing in R&D here in China to bring forward more
innovations that can help people in China and around the world.”

Merck conducts research in a broad range of therapeutic categories
including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which are becoming
increasingly prevalent in China. The company’s global scientific
strategy is focused on retaining deep internal therapeutic area and
functional expertise in core therapeutic areas while strategically
collaborating to access external innovation.

Merck also maintains its commercial headquarters for MSD in China in
Shanghai and has manufacturing capabilities at other locations
throughout China.

About Merck

Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be
well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada.
Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and
consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and
operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health
solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to
healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For
more information, visit www.merck.com
and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include,
but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the merger
between Merck and Schering-Plough, including future financial and
operating results, the combined company’s plans, objectives,
expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical
facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and
expectations of Merck’s management and are subject to significant risks
and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the
forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to
differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the
possibility that the expected synergies from the merger of Merck and
Schering-Plough will not be realized, or will not be realized within the
expected time period; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation
and healthcare legislation; the risk that the businesses will not be
integrated successfully; disruption from the merger making it more
difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; Merck’s
ability to accurately predict future market conditions; dependence on
the effectiveness of Merck’s patents and other protections for
innovative products; the risk of new and changing regulation and health
policies in the United States and internationally and the exposure to
litigation and/or regulatory actions.

Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ
materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be
found in Merck’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company’s other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at
the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

Merck
U.S.
Ian McConnell, +1 (908) 423-3046
Caroline Lappetito, +1 (267) 305-7639
or
MSD in China
Jane Wu, +86 (1390) 172 6909
or
Investor Contacts:
Alex Kelly, +1 (908) 423-5185
Carol Ferguson, +1 (908) 423-4465