Year | Detail |
1891 |
George Merck founded Merck & Co. to distribute fine chemicals across New York and neighboring areas in the U.S. |
1933 |
The company's research laboratory was founded in New Jersey and includes three divisions: the Merck Institute for Therapeutic Research, Pure Research, and Applied Research. |
1936 |
The company developed the first synthesized vitamin Bâ‚, which significantly reduced vitamin Bâ‚ deficiency. In the subsequent year, the company's management committed to isolating and synthesizing vitamins and making them more widely available. |
1948 |
The introduction of sulfaquinoxaline launched the company into the animal health market. The product will help prevent coccidiosis, a parasitic poultry disease. |
1950 |
The company commercially synthesized Cortisone to treat rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, and other chronic diseases. |
1953 |
Merck & Co. Inc. merged with Sharp & Dohme while bringing Merck's chemical research and manufacturing facilities with Sharp & Dohme's pharmaceutical development, marketing expertise, and international presence. |
1957 |
The company established the Merck Company Foundation, a nonprofit organization with an initial contribution of $500,000. |
1970 |
The company discovered the treatment for trichinosis spread among animals. The treatment helps protect the reindeer and indigenous peoples who are depended on them for survival. |
1971 |
The company distributed the measles-mumps-rubella (M-M-R) vaccine developed by Drs. Maurice Hilleman and Eugene B. Buynak. This vaccine includes ATTENUVAX, MERUVAX, and MUMPSVAX. |
1977 |
The company's first pneumonia vaccine, PNEUMOVAX, was developed under Dr. Maurice Hilleman's direction and approved by the FDA. |
1978 |
FDA-approved Mefoxin, which will be used to treat gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens. |
1985 |
FDA-approved VASOTEC, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used for the treatment of high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. |
1986 |
The company's recombinant hepatitis B vaccine, RECOMBIVAX HB was approved by FDA. |
1996 |
FDA-approved company CRIXIVAN (INDINAVIR SULFATE) is used for the treatment of HIV. |
1998 |
FDA-approved SINGULAIR is used for the treatment and prevention of asthma. This product was under research for 20 years at the company's Frosst discovery hub in Kirkland, Canada. |
2006 |
FDA approved JANUVIA (sitagliptin), a DPP-4 inhibitor to treat Type 2 diabetes. |
2009 |
Merck & Co. Inc. merged with Schering-Plough and started its business operations. |
2014 |
FDA-approved BRAVECTO, a chewable tablet for dogs that kills various fleas and tick species for 12 weeks in a single dose. |
2019 |
The company received FDA approval for the Ebola Zaire vaccine, Live (ERVEBO), to prevent disease caused by Zaire ebolavirus in people 18 and older |