Merck Taps Frazier as President, Global Human Health

PharmaManufacturing.com
07/27/2007

Merck & Co., Inc. announced on July 26 that Kenneth C. Frazier has been named executive vice president and president, Global Human Health, effective Aug. 1.  Frazier is currently Merck's executive vice president and general counsel.

Frazier will oversee more than 30,000 employees and have direct responsibility for Merck's marketing and sales organizations worldwide including the global pharmaceutical and vaccine franchises. Under Frazier's leadership, the Global Human Health organization will prepare, launch and market new products to maximize their long-term potential; optimize the performance of existing Merck products; and ensure a high-performing marketing and sales operation worldwide. He also will work with his successor, Bruce N. Kuhlik, on the Company's Vioxx-related issues. Frazier will continue to report directly to Richard T. Clark, Merck's chairman, president and chief executive officer, and serve on the Company's executive committee.

"In Ken, we are fortunate to have an exceptional leader who knows the Company, its business and the industry intimately and who has a demonstrated ability to drive the transformation necessary to achieve our long-term objectives," said Clark.

Frazier has served as Merck's general counsel since 1999, first as senior vice president, and then promoted to executive vice president in 2006. Prior to that role, he held positions of increasing responsibility for Merck & Co., Inc. as vice president and deputy general counsel (1999), assistant general counsel for corporate staff (1997), and vice president of public affairs (1994). Frazier joined Merck in 1992 as vice president, general counsel and secretary of the Astra Merck Group. Before joining Merck, he was a partner with the Philadelphia firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath.

Bruce N. Kuhlik, who is being promoted to senior vice president, will succeed Frazier as general counsel with responsibility for Merck's legal and public affairs functions. He will report directly to Clark and serve as a member of the executive committee which evaluates and makes strategic decisions for the Company.

Regarding Kuhlik's appointment, Clark said, "The depth and breadth of Bruce's knowledge of the law, the pharmaceutical business and the regulatory regimes under which our Company operates enable him to make valuable contributions across a broad range of legal, business and policy matters, but especially leading our VIOXX litigation strategy."

Kuhlik joined Merck in 2005 as vice president and associate general counsel with primary responsibility for the Company's VIOXX litigation defense. Prior to that, he was senior vice president and general counsel for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Earlier in his career, Kuhlik was a partner in the law firm of Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C. He also served as assistant to the solicitor general, arguing a number of cases before the U. S. Supreme Court.