Full Description

Merck & Co., Inc. (Merck) is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a range of products to improve human and animal health. The Company’s operations are principally managed on a products basis and comprises of two business segments: the Pharmaceutical segment and the Vaccines and Infectious Diseases segment. The Pharmaceutical segment includes human health pharmaceutical products marketed either directly or through joint ventures. These products consist of therapeutic and preventive agents, sold by prescription, for the treatment of human disorders. Merck sells these human health pharmaceutical products primarily to drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies and managed health care providers, such as health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and other institutions. The Vaccines and Infectious Diseases segment includes human health vaccine products marketed either directly or through a joint venture. These products consist of preventative pediatric, adolescent and adult vaccines, primarily administered at physician offices. Merck sells these human health vaccines primarily to physicians, wholesalers, physician distributors and government entities. Infectious disease products consist of therapeutic agents for the treatment of infection sold primarily to drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals and government agencies.

In September 2008, the Company terminated its collaboration with FoxHollow Technologies, Inc. (FoxHollow) for atherosclerotic plaque analysis. In December 2008, the Company terminated its collaboration with Dynavax Technologies Corporation (Dynavax). In March 2009, Insmed Incorporated closed the sale of its assets related to the follow-on biologics business, to a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. In September 2009, Sanofi-Aventis acquired 50% interest in Merial Limited from the Company.

The Company sells its human health pharmaceutical products primarily to drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies and managed healthcare providers, such as health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and other institutions. Human health vaccines are sold primarily to physicians, wholesalers, physician distributors and government entities. Merck has nine products in Phase III development, including MK-0974 and MK-7418.

MK-0974, telcagepant, an investigational oral calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist, which represents a new mechanism for the treatment of migraine and has demonstrated efficacy comparable to zolmitriptan, an effective triptan, in the Phase III clinical program. MK-7418, rolofylline, is a Phase III investigational drug being evaluated for the treatment of acute heart failure. MK-8669, deforolimus, is a mTor (mammalian target of rapamycin) inhibitor being evaluated for the treatment of cancer. The drug candidate is being jointly developed and commercialized with ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ARIAD) under an agreement reached during 2007. V503 is a nine-valent HPV vaccine in development to expand protection against cancer-causing HPV types.

MK-0822, odanacatib, is a selective inhibitor of the cathepsin K enzyme, which is being evaluated for the treatment of osteoporosis. MK-0524A is a drug candidate that combines extended-release (ER) niacin and a flushing inhibitor, laropiprant. In April 2008, Merck received a non-approvable action letter from the United States food and drug administration (FDA) in response to its new drug administration (NDA) for MK-0524A. MK-0524B is a drug candidate that combines the approach to raising HDL-C and lowering triglycerides from ER niacin combined with laropiprant with a simvastatin in one combination product. MK-0859, anacetrapib, is an inhibitor of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein that has shows raising HDL-C and reducing LDL-C without raising blood pressure. MK-0431C combines Januvia with pioglitazone, another type 2 diabetes therapy.

The Company’s clinical pipeline includes candidates in multiple disease areas, including atherosclerosis, cancer, heart failure, hypertension, infectious diseases, migraine, neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric diseases, ophthalmic diseases, pain, and respiratory disease. The Company completed a number of transactions in 2008, including research collaborations, preclinical and clinical compounds, and technology transactions across a range of therapeutic categories. In September 2008, Merck and Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) signed a worldwide licensing agreement to develop and commercialize JTT-305, an investigational oral osteoanabolic (bone growth stimulating) agent for the treatment of osteoporosis. JTT-305 is investigational oral calcium sensing receptor antagonist that is being evaluated by JT in Phase II clinical trials in Japan for its effect on increasing bone density and is in Phase I clinical trials outside of Japan.