In its recently-released Corporate Responsibility Report, Merck said it has advanced 31 candidates to the next clinical development stage. Moreover, 47 candidates are also in Phase I-III development.

“Merck’s fundamental responsibility is discovering, developing and delivering innovative medicines and vaccines that can make a difference in people's lives and create a healthier future,” said Chris Tan, Managing Director, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), the Philippine subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. “Through scientific excellence and innovation, Merck is fully committed to developing new products and making them available to patients throughout the world including Filipinos. This is our responsibility and contribution to the community.”

Merck invests nearly US$5 billion annually in research and development. Currently, the company’s research is driven through six fields: atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, bone, respiratory, immunology and endocrine disorders, diabetes and obesity, infectious diseases and novel vaccines, neuroscience, and oncology. It is concentrating on growing its pipeline, particularly by focusing on researching and developing first-in-class or best-in-class medicines and vaccines.

Majority of Merck’s investment is in its in-house research but the company works with strategic partners who can help achieve its objectives. Research work supported by Merck includes a World Health Organization-led study on tropical diseases. Merck also granted the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) a royalty-free license to develop, manufacture and distribute a novel compound for use in developing countries.

“We remain confident that our pipeline shows great potential and we’re working hard to ensure confidence in the safety and effectiveness of our products. Our research and development efforts are aligned with global needs and we recognize that external collaboration and diversification are strategies that will lead us to future breakthroughs,” said Tan.

In addition to researching new medicines and vaccines to address unmet needs, other priority areas highlighted in the report are improving access to medicines, vaccines and health care, ensuring confidence in the safety and quality of products, operating ethically and transparently, and managing the organization’s environmental footprint. The report also emphasizes the fundamentals of good corporate governance and accountability, ethical business practices, and transparency.

About Merck

Merck & Co., Inc. (or Merck Sharp & Dohme / MSD outside of US) is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck 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 MSD medicines but help deliver them to the people who need them. MSD also publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service.