PETRI DISH PERSPECTIVES: BIOTECH UNLEASHED

Episode 6: Merck

• Manead Khin • Season 1 • Episode 6

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In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, we'll take you on a 350-year journey through the rise of Merck — from its humble beginnings as a family-run pharmacy in 17th-century Germany to becoming one of the world’s most influential pharmaceutical powerhouses.

We’ll explore how Merck evolved through groundbreaking discoveries like streptomycin, the MMR vaccine, statins, and the game-changing cancer immunotherapy Keytruda. You’ll also hear about the incredible legacy of Dr. Maurice Hilleman, a vaccine pioneer whose work continues to save millions of lives today.

Along the way, we dive into Merck’s unique split post-WWI, its relentless focus on science-first innovation, and its modern-day ventures in oncology, gene editing, and AI-driven drug discovery.

Whether you’re a biotech enthusiast, healthcare professional, or just curious about the companies shaping tomorrow’s medicine, this episode packs powerful insights in under 30 minutes. Grab your coffee and settle in — this is Merck, unleashed.

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Intro

Hello and welcome to Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, the podcast where we geek out about science and companies shaping the future of healthcare. I’m your host, Manead, and I’m a scientist with a PhD background in cancer biology and analytical chemistry. With every episode, my goal is to deliver digestible pieces of information on healthcare companies under 30 mins. Today, we’re diving into the story of Merck — a company that started as a small family-run pharmacy in Germany and blossomed into one of the most influential pharmaceutical giants in the world. From discovering groundbreaking vaccines to creating life-saving cancer immunotherapies, Merck has made a profound mark on medicine and science.

Quick disclaimer, I give full credit to the original articles cited in the references in the transcript!

Grab your coffee or tea, settle in, and let’s jump in!

Segment 1: The Founding Story

Let’s rewind all the way back to 1668. That’s when a young German pharmacist named Friedrich Jacob Merck purchased an apothecary shop in Darmstadt, Germany. This small pharmacy, called Engel-Apotheke, laid the foundation for what would eventually become Merck. At the time, apothecaries weren’t just selling medicine — they were making it, often experimenting with new formulations to treat a variety of illnesses.

Fast forward to the early 19th century. One of Friedrich Jacob’s descendants, Emanuel Merck, took the reins in 1816. Emanuel wasn’t content with simply compounding medicines — he was a chemist at heart. He isolated alkaloids like morphine and strychnine and began large-scale production of pure pharmaceutical ingredients. This focus on chemical purity and innovation set Merck apart from other apothecaries of the era.

By the mid-1800s, Merck had evolved from a local pharmacy into a global supplier of high-quality pharmaceutical ingredients. In 1891, the company took a major step by opening a U.S. branch in New York — Merck & Co. — led by George Merck, Emanuel's grandson.

Interestingly, after World War I, the U.S. government seized Merck’s American branch and made it an independent company: Merck & Co., Inc., separate from its German parent. Today, when we say "Merck" in the U.S., we’re referring to Merck & Co. In the rest of the world, the original German Merck is still known as Merck KGaA.

Segment 2: Early Growth and Breakthroughs

Now, how did Merck grow from a chemical supplier to a pharmaceutical innovator?

In the early 20th century, Merck was already establishing itself in vaccine development and therapeutics. But the real explosion came in the 1940s and 1950s with antibiotics and vaccines.

A huge turning point? The development of streptomycin in 1944 — the first antibiotic effective against tuberculosis. Merck played a critical role in scaling up its production.
 Meanwhile, the company wasn’t just content with infectious diseases. They quickly expanded into endocrinology, cardiology, and oncology.

One cool historical side note: In 1942, Merck became the first company to successfully synthesize vitamin B12, a critical advance for treating pernicious anemia, a once-fatal disease.

By the 1950s, Merck was cementing its reputation as a scientific powerhouse, investing heavily in research and collaborating with top academics like Dr. Maurice Hilleman, a legend in vaccine development. Merck & Co., Inc. (now known as Merck outside the US and Canada) went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1962. The IPO date was January 13, 1978. In 1985, Merck’s stock price was $2.51 a piece.

Segment 3: From Research to Blockbusters

Merck’s strategy was clear: heavy investment in research and development leading to blockbuster discoveries. Let’s highlight a few:

M-M-R Vaccine: Dr. Maurice Hilleman, a legendary microbiologist working at Merck, developed the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in the late 1960s. Before the MMR vaccine, these three diseases were rampant, causing significant childhood illness, disability, and death worldwide. Hilleman’s innovation was to combine the three vaccines into one, simplifying immunization schedules and dramatically increasing vaccination rates. Introduced in 1971, the MMR vaccine led to a rapid decline in the incidence of all three diseases, helping to eliminate endemic measles in many countries and preventing millions of deaths. It is now considered one of the most important advances in public health history. Hilleman, who developed over 40 vaccines during his career, is often credited with saving more lives than any other medical scientist of the 20th century.

Statins (Zocor): Following the success of early statins, Merck entered the cholesterol-lowering market with Zocor (simvastatin), which received FDA approval in 1991. Statins work by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, a key enzyme involved in the production of cholesterol in the liver. By lowering "bad" LDL cholesterol levels, statins like Zocor significantly reduced the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular deaths. Zocor quickly became one of the world's best-selling drugs, especially as heart disease remained the leading cause of death globally. It built on Merck’s prior success with Mevacor (lovastatin, the first FDA-approved statin in 1987) and cemented the company's leadership in cardiovascular medicine. Merck's dominance in this space also shaped public health policy, encouraging widespread statin use as a preventive strategy for heart disease.

Keytruda (pembrolizumab): In 2014, Merck made a groundbreaking leap into cancer immunotherapy with the approval of Keytruda (pembrolizumab). Keytruda is a PD-1 inhibitor, part of a class of drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors. These therapies work by releasing the natural brakes on the immune system, allowing it to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. Keytruda was initially approved for advanced melanoma but quickly expanded to treat a broad range of cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer, head and neck cancers, and others. Keytruda was also the first cancer treatment to receive FDA approval based on a biomarker (microsatellite instability-high or MSI-H status) rather than tumor location, ushering in a new era of precision medicine. Its success transformed Merck into a dominant force in oncology and redefined how cancers are treated, with immunotherapy now considered a pillar of modern cancer care alongside surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. At its peak, Keytruda has brought in more than $20 billion annually and continues to expand its indications. It’s a flagship product in the immuno-oncology revolution.

Segment 4: People Who Made Their Mark

Each episode, I love highlighting one amazing individual who helped shape the company.

Dr. Maurice Hilleman deserves the spotlight here. Born in 1919 on a farm in Montana, Hilleman’s early life was anything but easy. But his determination and brilliance led him to a career in microbiology. At Merck, Hilleman developed over 40 vaccines — including vaccines for measles, mumps, hepatitis A and B, meningitis, pneumonia, and chickenpox. It’s estimated that his vaccines save millions of lives every year. Without exaggeration, he’s one of the most important medical scientists in history — yet one of the least recognized by the general public. Hilleman’s relentless pursuit of scientific rigor defined Merck’s culture for decades.

Segment 5: What’s Next for Merck?

So where is Merck heading today?

They’re doubling down on oncology — particularly with Keytruda combinations — and investing heavily in next-gen vaccines, cardiometabolic therapies, and mRNA-based platforms. In 2021, Merck also acquired Acceleron Pharma to boost their cardiovascular pipeline, particularly in rare pulmonary diseases. Meanwhile, Merck remains a major player in animal health through its Merck Animal Health division and is exploring cutting-edge areas like CRISPR-based gene editing, AI drug discovery, and pandemic preparedness. As of December 2024, Merck’s market cap stands at around $260 billion, with a strong growth trajectory thanks to its oncology and vaccine franchises. By the time this episode was recorded, Merck’s stock price is at $84.28 a piece.

Segment 6: The Keys to Merck’s Success

So, what are the secrets behind Merck’s success? Here's my take:

  • Relentless Focus on Science: Merck’s culture has always centered around pure science — not just what’s marketable, but what’s scientifically sound.
  • Strong R&D Investments: Merck invests roughly 20% of its revenue back into R&D. That’s huge.
  • Resilience: From losing its U.S. arm after WWI to navigating patent cliffs, Merck knows how to pivot and adapt.
  • Blockbuster Innovation: From MMR to Keytruda, Merck consistently identifies moonshot projects and sees them through.
  • The Merck Innovation Cup is an annual program that brings together talented graduate students and postdocs from around the world to collaborate on cutting-edge healthcare, life science, and performance materials challenges. Hosted by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, the Innovation Cup fosters entrepreneurship and scientific innovation by giving participants the opportunity to work in interdisciplinary teams, develop new business ideas, and be mentored by experienced Merck professionals. Winning concepts often lead to real-world projects, reflecting Merck’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators and pushing the boundaries of science and technology.

Outro

And that’s a wrap on today’s episode of Petri Dish Perspectives! I hope you enjoyed this deep dive into the fascinating journey of Merck — from a small apothecary in 17th century Germany to one of the most innovative pharmaceutical companies in the world.

Thank you so much for listening to the end. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to hit subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast with your fellow biotech nerds. Got a company or topic you’d love me to cover? Reach out on social media — I’d love to hear from you.

Until next time, stay curious — and see you next time!

References



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Manead Khin

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