Is your child up to date on their vaccines? Make a plan today
Keeping kids’ vaccinations current can help protect them against vaccine-preventable diseases
October 16, 2024
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One of the many ways parents can help protect their kids from certain infectious diseases is by keeping them up to date on their recommended vaccines.
“Vaccines are powerful tools that can help protect against certain diseases. Making sure your kids are up to date on their vaccines is one way you can help protect them,” said Andrew “Drew” Otoo, PharmD, president of global vaccines, Merck. “Speak with your child’s health care provider and ask about vaccines that may be recommended.”
In addition to scheduling vaccinations, child well-visits are essential for discussing concerns about children’s health and tracking growth and developmental milestones.
Dr. Andrew “Drew” Otoo
“For all of us, let’s get creative. We’ve seen what our communities can do when it comes to new and effective ways to reach populations for vaccination.”
Even small actions can have an impact. Parents and community members can make a point to talk about routine and recommended vaccinations. Health care providers can use electronic health records and immunization registries to remind parents to schedule well-child visits for children who may be overdue for a check-up.
It’s critical to improve and maintain high vaccination rates
In 2023:
~21M
~21 million children around the world were either unvaccinated or undervaccinated in 2023. 14.5 million children did not receive any vaccines, almost 2 million more than in 2019, according to UNICEF.
40%
40% of adults in the U.S. feel it is “extremely important” for parents to have their children vaccinated, down from 58% in 2019 and 64% in 2001. (Gallup, July 1-21, 2024)
Persisting challenges around vaccination equity and confidence can lead to drops in vaccination coverage rates, putting children and individuals of all ages at risk of potentially serious, yet vaccine-preventable, diseases.
“Our purpose is clear: How can we continue to increase vaccination rates for all recommended vaccines for all populations, including underserved communities, to help protect public health? There is an urgency to this work,” said Dr. Otoo.
Health literacy is also key in these efforts. When you understand health information, you can make make informed health decisions.
“We’re surrounded by so much information coming at us from so many directions, and it can be hard to make sense of where to go for guidance or answers,” said Dr. Otoo. “It’s so important to make sure that we’re providing information that parents can understand to help them make informed decisions about vaccination for their families, as well as overall health care.”
For more than 100 years, Merck has been a pioneer in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases. But the burden is still too high, and new threats to global health will emerge. That’s why we are continuing to invest in groundbreaking research and breakthrough technologies to help protect against a variety of potentially serious infectious diseases. We’re also collaborating globally, nationally and locally to build trust, enable access and improve vaccination rates.
We remain focused on helping to protect people around the world and across all stages of life.
Make sure to talk to your health care provider about recommended vaccines for you and your family.
TL1A: Exploring a potentially important target for inflammatory bowel disease
Our scientists are investigating ways to modulate TL1A to potentially address inflammation and fibrosis associated with inflammatory bowel disease
October 9, 2024
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Picture the immune system as a carefully orchestrated network of organs, cells and molecules working together to protect your body from foreign invaders. Normally, this system operates smoothly, identifying and then fighting off microbes. However, in the case of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a person’s immune system can mistakenly attack their own tissues, causing chronic inflammation and tissue damage.
Nearly three million people in the U.S. live with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, the two most common forms of IBD. Patients with IBD experience symptoms such as diarrhea, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, unintended weight loss, fatigue and impaired sleep. In 25-40% of patients, IBD may affect organs and tissues outside of the gastrointestinal system, including the joints, skin, bones, eyes, kidneys and liver. When IBD is uncontrolled, it can lead to hospitalizations and surgery.
Despite available therapies which have helped improve patients’ symptoms over the last two decades, many patients do not achieve a state of sustained remission.
“People with IBD often struggle to find a treatment that works for them because each individual’s disease is different,” said Aileen Pangan, vice president and therapeutic area head, immunology clinical research, Merck Research Laboratories.
“With a better understanding of the biology of IBD, medicines have begun to emerge that aim to change the way we approach treatment. We’re investigating ways to modulate targets, including TL1A, that have been implicated in IBD and other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.”
Aileen Pangan
Our TL1A research
Our scientists are investigating tumor necrosis factor-like ligand 1A (TL1A), which has been shown to be increased in inflamed intestinal tissue and in the systemic circulation of patients with IBD.
TL1A is a cytokine, a protein functioning as a chemical messenger, that acts as a regulator of cellular immunity. In healthy people, levels of TL1A increase to help immune cells fight infections effectively, with levels going back down after the infection is gone. However, in IBD, TL1A levels are chronically elevated, leading to an excessive buildup of immune cells in the digestive tract, chronic inflammation, tissue damage and fibrosis.
Teams at Merck are evaluating the potential role of TL1A across immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). Learn more about our research in immunology.
Our scientists are dedicated to advancing research for potential treatment options for people diagnosed with prostate cancer
September 4, 2024
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It’s estimated that nearly 1.5 million people assigned male at birth were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022 worldwide.
But these patients aren’t just a statistic or a number. They’re our partners, our parents, our children, our siblings and our friends. They’re our loved ones, fighting for better outcomes and a chance for the future. And that’s who we’re fighting for, too.
“Globally, someone is diagnosed with prostate cancer nearly every minute. That’s why we’re working with urgency to advance research and provide potential treatment options for patients living with this disease.”
Dr. Kentaro Imai, distinguished scientist, oncology, prostate clinical research
The impact of prostate cancer on patients
Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in patients assigned male at birth worldwide. The average age at diagnosis is 66 years old. Prostate cancers is more likely to develop among those with African ancestry or a family history of the disease.
Prostate cancer can be genetic in other ways, too. Several inherited genetic mutations — such as those of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes — can increase prostate cancer risk. These types of genetic mutations, among others, can be identified through testing your tumor (also known as biomarker testing).
For those patients who are diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer, the prognosis is promising, with a five-year survival rate of nearly 100%. However, for patients with prostate cancer at an advanced stage, the outcomes can be dramatically different, and the five-year survival rate remains low.
“As with many cancers, patients with prostate cancer have the greatest chance of survival when their disease is detected early,” said Dr. Imai. “The prognosis for prostate cancer worsens as it spreads to other areas of the body, given that there are limited treatment options at that stage. It’s critical that we push forward to identify new options for these patients.”
Our commitment to prostate cancer research
Our science, coupled with new insights into the disease, continues to guide us as we pursue clinical advancements in prostate cancer.
"Our scientists are working diligently each and every day in an effort to discover new solutions for patients with prostate cancer."
— Dr. Kentaro Imai
Distinguished scientist, oncology, prostate clinical research
Since the next breakthrough can come from anywhere or anyone, we regularly collaborate across the entire prostate cancer community, working with health care providers, other companies, academia and advocates to gain a deeper understanding and make progress for patients with prostate cancer.
“The fight against prostate cancer is constantly evolving, and therefore our approach to the disease must evolve, as well,” said Dr. Imai. “We’re committed to pushing boundaries in pursuit of breakthrough advances that have the potential to change the lives of patients living with prostate cancer.”
Understanding lung cancer: 5 essential things to know as a patient or caregiver
What to know about one of the most common types of cancer
August 21, 2024
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Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide. In 2022, it was estimated that more than 2.4 million people globally were diagnosed with lung cancer.
Lung cancer is also the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Nearly one-in-five (19%) cancer-related deaths were estimated to result from the disease worldwide in 2022.
Despite how common lung cancer is and its high mortality rates, there are still many misconceptions about the disease. Having accurate information is a critical step in the fight against lung cancer.
Our company is working for these patients and their families by advancing research and fostering greater awareness and understanding of the disease.
Here are five facts about lung cancer that we think patients or caregivers need to know.
01.
Every person with lung cancer deserves compassion and support.
People with lung cancer can face social stigma because they may have smoked. But the truth is, there’s no room for blame. People with lung cancer are worthy of all the compassion and support their families, health care teams and the wider cancer community can provide to help them stand against this disease.
02.
It takes a village to navigate life with lung cancer.
When coping with a lung cancer diagnosis, it’s important to build a circle of support that includes the oncologist, health care teams, family and friends.
Connecting with others can provide a sense of support and comfort to help patients through everything that goes into managing this disease.
03.
There’s no one type of person who develops lung cancer.
Lung cancer strikes both men and women. While it is mostly diagnosed in older people, younger people can develop the disease. In fact, in 2022, more than 312,000 cases of lung cancer were estimated to be diagnosed worldwide among people 54 and younger.
04.
There are multiple risk factors for lung cancer, including some outside our control.
Smoking is the greatest risk factor for developing lung cancer, but there are others as well, including having a family history of the disease and exposure to certain environmental substances. Worldwide, it is estimated that 10-25% of patients with lung cancer have never smoked with even higher proportions based on ethnicity and geographic region.
Environmental risks include:
Exposure to radon gas.
Exposure to occupational carcinogens, such as asbestos.
Exposure to outdoor air pollution, such as second-hand smoke, arsenic, chromium and nickel.
05.
Scientific advances are helping to make an impact in treating lung cancer.
Over the last 20 years, significant strides have been made to improve patient outcomes in the treatment of lung cancer. Key advancements include the development of targeted therapies, the incorporation of biomarker testing into standard practice and the progress of research that may offer promising breakthroughs for patients with difficult-to-treat tumor types.
Letter from our chairman and chief executive officer, Rob Davis
August 16, 2024
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Dear Stakeholders,
For more than a century, we’ve been devoted to innovative scientific discovery, delivering medicines and vaccines to address critical health needs, optimizing the efficiency of our supply chain, increasing diversity in clinical trials, evolving our Merck Manual for medical reference and so much more. Importantly, everything we do is inspired by our purpose — to save and improve the lives of people and animals around the world. By harnessing leading-edge science, we’ve tackled some of the world’s biggest health challenges for generations, and we remain committed to expanding access to life-changing medicines, vaccines and technologies for many more decades to come. Operating our business responsibly and sustainably is at the core of our values and foundational to our ways of working and business operations.
To help propel our purpose, we continue to prioritize our ambitious sustainability goals, which span four key focus areas: 1) Access to Health; 2) Employees; 3) Environmental Sustainability and 4) Ethics & Values.
Over the last year, our concerted focus on innovation, collaboration and delivering significant and sustained stakeholder value has driven remarkable progress and impactful outcomes. To these ends, I’m proud to share the following key accomplishments:
Expanding and enabling access to health
Enabling access to health underpins every action we take and every decision we make. Across our enterprise, we collaborate with global partners and stakeholders to advance our scientific discoveries, expand and enable access to our medicines and vaccines, and implement initiatives that drive health equity. In 2023, we reached more than 550 million people with our medicines and vaccines through commercial channels, clinical trials, voluntary licensing and product donations. These critical efforts include our MECTIZAN® Donation Program, the longest-running disease-specific drug donation effort of its kind, which aims to combat river blindness and lymphatic filariasis and reached approximately 385 million people last year.
In 2023, we also expanded on our 2021 access to health ambition, and now have a new goal to enable 350 million more people to access our medicines and vaccines by 2025. In 2023 alone, our efforts enabled access for 240 million people. Our products were delivered to nearly 80% of countries globally. And through our social investments, including partnerships to advance health equity and other impact initiatives, we reached more than 54 million people in low- and middle-income countries and populations underserved by health care in high-income countries, surpassing our goal of reaching more than 50 million people by 2025.
Developing and rewarding a diverse, inclusive and healthy workforce
We believe the best path to value creation is through our talent, and the variety of backgrounds and ideas they bring are central to the success of our company. Diversity, equity and inclusion is a business imperative. It improves our understanding of our customers, promotes the inclusion of diverse populations in our clinical trials and inspires the innovation that drives our business. We remain committed to actively cultivating a talented, diverse and inclusive workforce that best represents—and can thus best serve—our customers, health care providers and patients.
In 2023, we defined and introduced 15 new enterprise leadership skills, designed to further advance our culture, power organizational and individual performance, and drive value for our stakeholders and communities.
We continue to nurture a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. Women comprise 51% of our global workforce, 50% of our board of directors, and in 2023, our global pay equity study indicated a greater than 99% parity in compensation between female and male employees. Further, in the U.S., for the third year in a row, we have achieved greater than 99% pay equity across race and gender.
Embodying and prioritizing environmental stewardship
We know the global health of people and animals is inextricably linked to the health of the planet. This is why we are committed to playing an active role in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Notably, in 2024, we committed to be net-zero across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, aligned with guidance from the Science Based Targets initiative.
Our environmental sustainability strategy is designed to achieve our objectives by focusing on three critical areas: operational efficiency, designing new products to minimize environmental impact and reducing the impacts in our upstream and downstream value chain. And we have been recognized with six consecutive Green Chemistry Challenge Awards—nine overall—as a result of our ongoing efforts to minimize the footprint of our products. The awards are sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency and the American Chemistry Society and recognize new and innovative environmentally conscious chemistry technologies.
Holding ourselves to the highest standards
We operate responsibly every day in every way, and we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of ethics and values. Our code of conduct is our compass, ensuring we maintain our reputation as a trusted, credible and responsible company. It also encourages employees to speak up and report potential concerns to ensure our ethics and values are reflected in our business operations. We maintain full compliance with all privacy and data regulatory requirements related to active incident monitoring, risk/harm analysis and on-time notification of data breaches.
We are also a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), and we align our operations with the Ten Principles of the UNGC to improve communities around the globe.
Additionally, we increased our spend with small and diverse Tier 1 and 2 suppliers from $3.2 billion in 2022 to $3.6 billion in 2023, fostering a healthy, equitable and diverse supply chain.
In 2023, we also added sustainability metrics to our Company Scorecard, which directly correlates to our annual incentive plan. The metrics link the compensation for most employees, including executives, to our performance in driving greater access to health care and employee engagement and inclusion. And I’m pleased to report that, in our inaugural year, we achieved all of our goals for these new sustainability metrics on our Company Scorecard.
Sustaining our momentum
I am very proud of our collective progress and the positive impact we’ve made on the lives of people, animals and communities around the world. In 2023, Merck was named one of the Top 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies by Barron’s and one of America’s Most JUST Companies by JUST Capital and CNBC. And notably, we ranked No. 1 in the health sector for both recognitions. This year, we were also recognized on TIME’s inaugural list of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies, ranking No. 28 out of 500 companies. These honors are a testament to our unwavering passion and commitment to saving and improving lives globally.
I remain confident that we can do even more to further advance global health and access, drive diversity, equity and inclusivity, protect the environment and operate responsibly. I’m excited and energized by the possibilities of our science-led strategy, the promise that our short- and long-term efforts present, and the positive, sustainable impacts that we can make today and well into the future.
My sincerest thanks for your continued support as we pursue a healthier and brighter future for all.
Our company teamed up with the American Cancer Society to raise awareness on cancer screenings and help support access for everyone
August 15, 2024
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Fear is a powerful emotion, especially when it comes to cancer.
Fear of what a screening test might discover, fear of potential discomfort and fear of the unknown kept Terry Craft from getting a regular cancer screening.
He decided to see a doctor after an intense and painful episode of constipation, an appointment he says he should have had 10 years earlier. Craft was 47 years old when he was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.
“My wife actually wanted me to have a colonoscopy when I was in my late 30s because I had a little bout and I said, ‘No, I’m not doing that,’” says Craft.
“I didn’t get screened because I was afraid of it. I just didn’t want to know if there was something that might be serious or life-threatening. It was a fear factor for me.”
Terry Craft Colon cancer survivor
He says his doctors told him his tumor had potentially been growing ever since that experience in his 30s.
“Had I gone for a simple screening 10 years prior I might have, as I say, ‘nipped it in the bud’ and it might have just been a rogue polyp, who knows,” says Craft. “But because I didn’t, I had to go through a lot and it wasn’t just me — when cancer affects one member of a family, it affects everyone.”
“Due to pandemic-related delays in screening for breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancers, many cancers could be going undiagnosed and untreated and may advance to later stages and be more difficult to treat,” says Laura Makaroff, senior vice president of prevention and early detection at American Cancer Society. “We foresee that those reductions in health care access and cancer screening will result in a short-term drop in cancer diagnoses and a later corresponding increase in late-stage diagnoses and potentially preventable deaths. “
Craft is in remission today, and he makes it a point to tell others just how important cancer screenings are, no matter what the results might be.
“It’s OK to understand what’s going on,” says Craft. “You want to know, don’t hide from it. If you hide from it, the outcome might not be what I experienced. It could be a deadly outcome.”
Early detection matters
Darleen Alston didn’t have health insurance when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. She says if it wasn’t for the free mammogram that she received through a cancer screening program, it “could have been months” before she knew she had cancer.
“I can say that it [screening] saves lives because it saved mine.”
Darleen Alston Breast cancer survivor
While many people face different kinds of barriers to getting the medical care they need, having access to preventative health screenings shouldn’t be one of them.
“I tell everybody, go get your mammogram. And if you can’t afford it, go to the screening. They’ll do it for free,” says Alston. “You’re not going to lose anything by going. You’re going to lose your life, maybe, if you don’t go.”
Preventative care is for everyone
There are cancer screening resources available to help people who are uninsured or underinsured find low-cost or free cancer screenings.
To help these efforts and improve cancer screening rates, Merck teamed up with the American Cancer Society (ACS) and their Get Screened campaign.
Our company, along with other sponsors, joined ACS in its goal to raise $30 million for a national initiative to help support access to recommended cancer screenings. The initiative includes collaborations with key stakeholders, including state and local health systems, to implement evidence-based screening interventions and public policy solutions that may benefit all.
“It’s important to ensure access for everyone to recommended cancer screenings to reduce screening disparities and unnecessary cancer deaths,” says Makaroff. “During the pandemic, we know that disparities in cancer screenings increased for people with greater social or economic barriers. Through our Get Screened campaign, the American Cancer Society is working to increase regular screening rates for everyone to help save more lives.”
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of certain types of cervical cancer and other cancers in men and women
August 15, 2024
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What is human papillomavirus (HPV)?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the U.S. There are many different types of HPV.
For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for the very few who do not clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers and other diseases in both men and women. Unfortunately, there’s no way to know who will or will not clear the virus.
What cancers and diseases can be caused by HPV?
HPV can cause certain types of:
cervical cancers
anal cancers
vulvar cancers
vaginal cancers
head and neck cancers
genital warts
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2016 and 2020, tens of thousands of people in the U.S. were diagnosed with certain HPV-related cancers each year.
The impact of HPV-related cancers
Between 2016 and 2020, CDC estimates:
60-70%
of all oropharyngeal cancer (found in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils) may be caused by HPV
~11,900
new HPV-related cervical cancer cases occur in the U.S. each year
“There are steps people can take to be proactive about their health. Men and women should speak with their health care providers to learn more about the link between HPV and certain cancers and diseases.”
— Mel Kohn, M.D., M.P.H., executive director of medical affairs, Merck
The World Health Organization’s movement towards cervical cancer elimination
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women globally. Important steps have been taken to achieve a world where fewer women are affected by cervical cancer, but more needs to be done.
In 2020, the World Health Assembly adopted the global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem.
To help achieve this goal, the WHO provides guidance and tools to support countries in implementing strategies and addressing challenges associated with cervical cancer prevention.
For more information about HPV, certain related cancers and potential preventive measures, men and women should speak with their health care providers.
Learn more about what the measles virus is and how measles spreads
August 13, 2024
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What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect people of all ages but is most common in children. The virus lives in the mucus of the nose and throat of an infected person.
Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus.
Common measles symptoms include:
High fever
(may spike to more than 104°F)
Cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes
(conjunctivitis)
Spots in mouth
(2-3 days after symptoms begin)
Rash
(3-5 days after symptoms begin)
How measles spreads
Is measles airborne?
The measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace after an infected person leaves an area.
How contagious is measles?
If one person has measles, up to 90% of
unvaccinated people close to that person will also become infected.
How long is measles contagious for?
Infected people can spread measles to others four days before through four days after the rash appears.
How long is the measles incubation period?
After being exposed to the measles virus, it can incubate for up to 21 days.
Does measles cause complications?
Measles can cause health complications. Common complications include ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain). Measles may impact the daily lives of patients and their caretakers (e.g., can result in lost work time or missed school days).
Measles can be serious and lead to complications
About 1 in 5unvaccinated people in the U.S. who get measles are hospitalized.
As many as 1 out of every 20 children with measles get pneumonia, the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
Approximately1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
Understanding measles outbreaks
Before the vaccine became available in 1963, an estimated 3 to 4 million Americans contracted measles each year, and an estimated 48,000 people in the U.S. were hospitalized and there were approximately 400 to 500 deaths annually.
Endemic (regularly occurring within an area or community) measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.
2019 saw the greatest number of measles cases reported in the U.S. since 1992.
2024 has seen continuous measles outbreaks with 13 measles outbreaks as of July reported across the U.S.
Measles cases have been rising in the U.S.
As of July 2024, 167 cases of measles were confirmed in the U.S.
When you’re contagious with measles, up to 90% of the people around you who are not vaccinated will also become infected.
In the U.S., measles cases can originate from international travel as the disease remains common in many parts of the world. Typically, 2 out of 3 of travelers with measles are unvaccinated Americans re-entering the country.
As seen by the recent outbreaks across the country, measles can spread rapidly, and infected individuals can spread measles to other people who are not immune.
For more information, including the latest statistics on outbreaks, speak with your doctor or visit the CDC website.
Merck’s (NYSE: MRK) Q2 2024 results demonstrate strong business momentum and further progress in our diverse pipeline. Our company announced worldwide sales of $16.1 billion, an increase of 7% from Q2 2023.
“Our business is demonstrating strong momentum as we exit the first half of the year,” said Rob Davis, chairman and chief executive officer. “Through excellent scientific, commercial and operational execution, we’re achieving significant milestones for our company and for patients. I am proud of our dedicated teams around the world that are working tirelessly to advance our deep pipeline as we continue delivering innovation that solves unmet medical needs.”
Merck anticipates full-year 2024 worldwide sales to be between $63.4 billion and $64.4 billion.
Our former CEO Dr. Roy Vagelos honored for role in helping China combat hepatitis B
We’re proud of his recognition and our continued commitment to global health
July 16, 2024
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It’s a moment that’s woven into our company’s history, and one that exemplifies our commitment to putting people before profits.
In 1989, when hepatitis B was the largest public health challenge in China, our company shared a manufacturing process to help the Chinese government address this public health need. This cooperation, led by then-CEO Dr. Roy Vagelos, helped millions at a time when they needed it most.
For his role in helping the people of China, Vagelos recently received the first-ever Elimination Champion Legacy Award from the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination (CGHE), a program of The Task Force for Global Health. Vagelos was honored alongside Professor Zhao Kai, who helped lead China’s participation in the technology transfer.
“Dr. Roy Vagelos and Professor Zhao Kai are fully deserving of the first Legacy Awards as Hepatitis Elimination Champions,” said Dr. John W. Ward, director of the CGHE.
By 2009, China’s vaccination program made possible by this technology transfer prevented over 24 million infections and over 4 million future deaths, according to estimates cited by the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination. Vagelos’ leadership exemplifies our company’s legacy of collaboration and the work we do every day to address some of the world’s most pressing public health challenges.
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This website of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. There can be no guarantees with respect to pipeline candidates that the candidates will receive the necessary regulatory approvals or that they will prove to be commercially successful. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.
The company 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 the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov). No Duty to Update
The information contained in this website was current as of the date presented. The company assumes no duty to update the information to reflect subsequent developments. Consequently, the company will not update the information contained in the website and investors should not rely upon the information as current or accurate after the presentation date.
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