Merck has appointed David Weinreich as global head of R&D and chief medical officer of its healthcare business sector.
Based at the company’s R&D site in Massachusetts, US, Weinreich will oversee R&D activities across the business sector, leading both early- and late-stage development programmes for multiple therapies and indications.
“Scientific innovation is the engine that drives everything we do to transform patient care,” said Danny Bar Zohar, member of the Executive Board of Merck, and CEO Healthcare. “David [has] 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.”
Before joining Merck, Weinreich served as operating partner and senior advisor at Foresite Labs and Foresite Capital Management. He previously held senior leadership roles at Bayer, Amgen and Regeneron, including heading clinical development divisions. Over the course of his career, he has led the successful development of 15 approved drugs across a range of therapeutic areas and has founded several pharma, biotech and venture capital companies.
Weinreich commented: “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.
“I look forward to working with teams around the world to advance a clear R&D strategy grounded in urgency, collaboration and purpose.”