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All Hands on Deck Against COVID-19

How every division at Merck is pitching in to address a global need

All Hands on Deck Against COVID-19

How every division at Merck is pitching in to address a global need

Published 12-10-21

Submitted by Merck & Co., Inc.

Workers in a biomedical lab

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has touched everyone’s lives, and a task as monumental as fighting back against COVID-19 takes more than just one person — or even just one department. From the earliest stages of the pandemic, we knew we had a responsibility to mobilize our scientific expertise and experience to help address the pandemic.

Dedicated teams across our company have come together to respond to this unique challenge. Because a global crisis calls for a global response.

Carisa Stadlman De Anda
Carisa Stadlman De Anda

Development on a deadline

“That sense of urgency is unique,” says Carisa Stadlman De Anda, executive director, clinical research, and a Merck clinical development team lead. “We have a sense of urgency, of course, in oncology or in HIV or in the antibacterial space, but it’s different when you have an ongoing, raging pandemic.”

For De Anda and her team, the importance of working on addressing such a pressing global need is a constant presence. “There’s just this sense of dedication. People want to be on this team,” she says. “They want to help in whatever way they can.”

That includes tracking the ever-shifting pandemic and going where current outbreaks and surges in cases create flashpoints for care.

“It’s such a mix of emotions,” De Anda says. “It’s like, ‘Here’s where we can help our research, but, oh my gosh, are you guys OK?’ It’s a mix of making sure that we can make this successful, but also concern for people’s safety.”

Jay Grobler, Executive director, biology-discovery
Jay Grobler, Executive director, biology-discovery

Tracking a moving target

As variants have continued to emerge, the teams working on combatting COVID-19 have had to evolve as well.

“The folks working on this within Merck are an incredibly committed bunch. There’s a high degree of motivation to do this well, to do this right,” says Jay Grobler, executive director, biology-discovery.

"We're all doing our part to make a difference in advancing the end to this pandemic.”
Jay Grobler
Executive director, biology-discovery

Workers in a biomedical lab

Reshaping the manufacturing process

The spark of innovation to combat COVID-19 extended to our manufacturing division as well, where a special team was put together to develop strategies in minimal time — a necessary tactic in rising to the challenge of this unique moment.

“We’ve developed and established a manufacturing process from start to finish in well under a year, which is pretty unprecedented. That type of thing does not normally happen,” says Kevin Kozimbo, director, project management.

Achieving that level of quality at such a pace meant rethinking processes at every level, including governance and oversight to accelerate feedback and decision-making.

“The connection between your work and the impact you’re having on patients is extremely clear,” says Ken Allen, executive director, supply chain management. “No one ever questioned the motivation behind doing what we’re doing or the long hours we’re putting in. We all want to help save lives as quickly as possible.”

Workers in a biomedical lab

Acting globally

A pandemic affects the entire world, so thinking beyond borders was key. Merck immediately began working with global stakeholders — like UNICEF, the Global Fund and the World Health Organization — to assist in the areas hardest hit in low- and middle- income countries.

“Ensuring affordable and equitable global access has been a guiding principle of Merck’s COVID-19 efforts,” says Paul Schaper, executive director, policy and government relations.

Teams across the company will continue doing everything they can until this global need is met.

Merck & Co., Inc. Logo

Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co., Inc.

At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on TwitterFacebookInstagramYouTube and LinkedIn.

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