Merck & Co – known as MSD outside the US and Canada – has appointed David Weinreich as Global Head of R&D and Chief Medical Officer for its Healthcare business sector, including Medical Affairs.
Weinreich joins Merck from Foresite Labs & Foresite Capital Management, where he served as an Operating Partner and Senior Advisor. He previously held senior leadership roles at Regeneron, Bayer and Amgen.
Weinreich has extensive experience and a proven track record in R&D, having led the development of 15 approved drugs worldwide across various therapeutic areas over his more than 20-year career. In addition, Weinreich has founded multiple companies and served as a venture capitalist, board member and biotech CEO.
“Scientific innovation is the engine that drives everything we do to transform patient care,” said Danny Bar Zohar, CEO Healthcare and Member of the Executive Board of Merck. “In David, we have a leader with a unique combination of deep scientific expertise, immense experience in drug development and successfully bringing drugs to the finish line, and global perspective – along with the clarity and boldness to shape a next-generation R&D strategy.”
“Joining Merck at such a pivotal moment in its growth journey offers a rare opportunity to lead scientific innovation with the potential to have a profound impact on patients’ lives,” said Weinreich. “This is an organisation with a strong legacy, deep scientific capabilities and a clear commitment to delivering meaningful value where it’s needed most. I look forward to working with teams around the world to advance a clear R&D strategy grounded in urgency, collaboration and purpose.”
Weinreich will be based in Billerica, Massachusetts at the company’s Research and Development site.