Merck & Co., Inc. has announced that David E. Kelley, M.D., has been named vice president, franchise integrator for Diabetes & Obesity. Dr. Kelley joins Merck after 20 years on staff at the University of Pittsburgh, where he most recently served as professor of medicine and director of the Obesity & Nutrition Research Center.
Based in Rahway, N.J., Dr. Kelley will oversee the lead researchers for experimental medicine, imaging and molecular profiling. He will be responsible for coordinating all biomarker, experimental medicine and imaging activities within the Company’s Diabetes and Obesity franchise with the aim of optimizing molecules through Phase IIb development. Dr. Kelley will also play a key role in advising the Franchise as to which programs are amenable to early decision making through the use of proof of concept molecules. Dr. Kelley will report directly to Dr. Luciano Rossetti, senior vice president and MRL head, Diabetes & Obesity and Cardiovascular Franchises.
Internationally recognized as an expert in insulin resistance and diabetes, Dr. Kelley’s recent research has focused on the impaired capacity for fat oxidation in skeletal muscle in these disorders, the disposition for lipid accumulation in muscle and its relation to insulin resistance, as well as mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
“Dr. Kelley will be an incredible asset to Merck's research and commercial efforts in the fields of diabetes and obesity,” said Dr. Rossetti. “In filling this position, we looked for someone with a wealth of experience who could bring new approaches and new ideas to the Franchise. We found that person in Dr. Kelley."
“This is an exciting time to join Merck, a company with a strong reputation of developing novel medicines across a variety of disease categories,” said Dr. Kelley. “Working with products like JANUVIA™, as well as the other compounds in development, I know that we’ll make significant advances in treating diabetes and obesity."