Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) today outlined its global plans following the completion of Merck's merger with Schering-Plough Corporation announced yesterday. The new Merck is a global health care leader aimed at providing innovative, distinctive products and services that save and improve lives, while satisfying customer needs and creating long term shareholder value.
“With our merger now complete, we are ready to deliver on the promise of a new Merck built on a foundation of scientific innovation and dedication to the well-being of patients around the world,” said Richard T. Clark, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Merck. “On 'Day One' for the new Merck, we are stronger and better equipped to make a difference in the lives of people globally through our broadened, diversified portfolio of innovative medicines and vaccines, and products for consumer and animal health.
"Our integration teams prepared us well for a strong start today, with thorough plans designed to ensure a seamless transition for our customers and employees," added Mr. Clark. "The combination of the considerable talents of Schering-Plough and Merck employees across the globe positions Merck to move through this dynamic time for our industry with a clear vision for the future."
From the outset, Merck is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal and consumer health products. This portfolio is complemented by a robust pipeline with more than 15 promising late-stage candidates spanning critical therapeutic categories. Merck now has approximately 106,000 employees and operates in more than 140 countries around the world, including emerging markets. The company expects to generate more than 50 percent of its revenue outside the United States.
"The people of the new Merck share a passion for the good our medicines and vaccines can do for patients and a commitment to pursuing high-quality results with our customers and partners," Mr. Clark said. "Thanks to the talent and dedication of scientists at both companies, the combined company offers an outstanding clinical development pipeline that will greatly increase our ability to deliver important new medicines to patients.”
The company's corporate headquarters will be in Whitehouse Station, NJ, as previously indicated. In addition, the company's U.S. organization for the Global Human Health division and Merck Research Laboratories will be headquartered in Upper Gwynedd, PA. The former Schering-Plough headquarters in Kenilworth, NJ and Merck's operations in Rahway, NJ, will continue to be important sites, with large and diverse operations encompassing marketing, manufacturing and research. At this time, all other sites will continue to operate as they did before the merger.
Key Therapeutic Areas
The new Merck has a broad portfolio of medicines – an engine for consistent, sustainable growth – driven in part by the addition of valuable products with long periods of exclusivity. By leveraging Merck's expanded product offerings, the company expects to benefit from additional revenue growth opportunities. For example, Merck will pursue expanded life-cycle management through the introduction of potential new combinations and formulations of existing products.
The company's diverse portfolio of adult, adolescent and pediatric vaccines and medicines spans important therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular, diabetes, obesity, bone, respiratory, immunology, dermatology, infectious disease, oncology, neurosciences, ophthalmology, women’s health and endocrinology.
Diversified Businesses
The new Merck's expanded portfolio also includes leading products from its Animal Health and Consumer Health Care business units.
Merck's Animal Health business is a world leader with market-leading products for a broad range of species and strong growth potential. The division has more than 1,000 marketed products and generates approximately $3 billion in revenues.
The company's Consumer Health Care business has a number of attractive brands such as CLARITIN, COPPERTONE, DR. SCHOLL’S and MIRALAX.
Financial Highlights
Merck is targeting a high single digit non-GAAP EPS¹ compound annual growth rate from 2009 to 2013 (with the 2009 base representing Merck's previous stand-alone non-GAAP EPS guidance of $3.20 - $3.30). Additionally, in 2013, Merck is targeting free cash flow to be approximately $15 billion. The combined company will have a strong balance sheet with cash and investments of approximately $8 billion at the time of the closing. As previously indicated, Merck expects the transaction to be modestly accretive in 2010.
Merck also continues to expect to achieve substantial incremental cost savings of approximately $3.5 billion annually beyond 2011 which are expected to come from all areas across the combined company.
The strong cash flow and substantial cost savings will enable the company to continue to invest in some of the best investment opportunities, including pipeline candidates with the greatest probability of success, as well as licensing opportunities. By optimizing its investments, the new Merck will maximize the benefits of strategic growth initiatives and R&D efforts to solidify its position at the forefront of innovation and enhance its scientific and technological leadership.
Additionally, Merck’s Board of Directors continues to be committed to maintaining the dividend at the current level.
Organizational Structure