Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co., Inc. is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, and its presence in Boston ties the drugmaker to the region’s biotech and research community. The company describes itself as aspiring to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company, and for more than 130 years it has developed medicines and vaccines aimed at major health threats. Its best-known products include the cancer drug Keytruda and the Gardasil HPV vaccine.

Much of Merck’s work runs through clinical trials, research studies with volunteers that test whether investigational medicines, vaccines or devices are safe and effective. Participation is voluntary, and people can leave a trial at any time. For patients with serious or life-threatening conditions who cannot join a trial, the company also runs expanded access programs that may provide investigational treatments. Information for patients, investors and the media is published centrally.

What to Know

• Merck’s corporate headquarters is in Rahway, New Jersey.
• The company is known as MSD in most countries outside North America.
• Its stock is publicly traded, and financial results and investor events are posted online.
• It is a member of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.