Merck
Merck
Merck (pronounced: Merk) is a multinational pharmaceutical, chemical and life sciences company headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany. It is one of the oldest operating chemical and pharmaceutical companies globally.
Etymology
The name "Merck" is derived from the family that established the company's roots in the 17th century. Friedrich Jacob Merck, an apothecary, purchased the Engel-Apotheke (Angel Pharmacy) in Darmstadt in 1668, marking the beginning of the Merck family business.
History
Merck was founded in 1668 by Friedrich Jacob Merck and was taken over by his descendants over the centuries. The company initially operated as a local pharmacy but expanded its operations to include the production of chemicals and drugs in the 19th century. In the 20th century, Merck evolved into a globally operating company with a focus on pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and performance materials.
Products and Services
Merck's product portfolio includes a wide range of pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, chemicals, and life science products. The company's pharmaceutical division focuses on the development and production of prescription drugs in various therapeutic areas, including oncology, neurology, and immunology. The life science division offers products and services for research, development, and production in the life science industry. The performance materials division provides high-tech materials for the electronics, automotive, and cosmetics industries.
Related Companies
Merck operates globally under the umbrella of the Merck Group. In the United States and Canada, the company operates as EMD Serono in the biopharmaceutical sector, MilliporeSigma in the life science sector, and EMD Performance Materials in the high-tech materials sector due to a trademark dispute with Merck & Co., a separate company that was once part of the original Merck but has been independent since World War I.
See Also
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