Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with sales of nearly Euro7.5bn in 2008 and around 32,800 employees (including Merck Serono) in 60 countries. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds a 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining 30%. 
It has production facilities at 53 locations in 24 countries. The company has focused its research and development in Darmstadt, Germany. However, it also operates research sites in France, Spain, UK, US and Japan.
History
Merck's roots go back to the year 1668, when Friedrich Jacob Merck purchased the “Engel-Apotheke” (Angel Pharmacy) in Darmstadt, which has been in the possession of the family ever since. In 1816, Emanuel Merck took over the pharmacy. From these beginnings, he and his successors gradually built up a chemical-pharmaceutical factory that produced (in addition to raw materials for pharmaceutical preparations) a multitude of other fine chemicals, and ready-to-use medicines from 1904.
Merck is not the same as Merck & Co. In 1889 Georg Merck, a grandson of Heinrich Emanuel Merck, took over the office in New York and established Merck & Co. After World War I, Merck & Co. became an independent US company.
Company movements
Please see Merck, Dyesol join forces on electrolytes for dye solar cells on ICIS news.
Pharmaceuticals
Merck's activities in this sector comprise of:
(1) Merck Serono Biopharmaceuticals; and
(2) Consumer Health Care (self-medication products).
In the Merck Serono Biopharmaceuticals division, it has a product portfolio that consists of prescription drugs such as the cancer drug Erbitux and the multiple sclerosis treatment Rebif. The division also includes treatments for infertility, growth disorders, cardiovascular, metabolic diseases and psoriasis.
In its Consumer Health Care division, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are considered to be Merck's most important therapeutic areas. This division also includes the growing role of self-medication in healthcare.
Chemicals
The chemicals business sector focuses its attention on chemical products for technically demanding applications in the R&D and industrial sectors. It offers its products via two divisions, namely:
(1) Liquid Crystals (LC); and
(2) Performance and Life Sciences Chemicals.
Merck KGaA
Strategy & Financial Highlights
Merck KGaA’s strategy focuses on diversification. It further focuses on innovative areas, such as liquid crystals. Merck KGaA will continue to invest in research and development (R&D) - investments that it says will open new opportunities for the company. (Edited from annual report). ICIS also provides you with key financial data listed in table form.
More about Merck KGaA Strategy & Financial Highlights
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