Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, has been named president of Merck & Co Inc's vaccine division, effective Jan. 25, 2010.
Gerberding served as CDC director from 2002 to 2009. During her tenure at CDC, Gerberding led the agency during more than 40 emergency response initiatives for health crises including anthrax bioterrorism, foodborne disease outbreaks and natural disasters, and advised governments around the world on urgent public health issues such as SARS, AIDS and obesity.
“Vaccines are a cornerstone of Merck's commitment to health and wellness," said Richard T. Clark, chairman and chief executive officer, Merck & Co., Inc. "We are delighted to welcome an expert of Dr. Gerberding's caliber to Merck. As a preeminent authority in public health, infectious diseases and vaccines, Dr. Gerberding is the ideal choice to lead Merck's engagement with organizations around the world that share our commitment to the use of vaccines to prevent disease and save lives."
"I’ve had the privilege in my previous work in academia and in the federal government to be a passionate advocate for public health priorities such as vaccines, which are an imperative component of global health development," said Gerberding. "I am very excited to be joining Merck where I can help to expand access to vaccines around the world."
Gerberding will lead the company's $5 billion global vaccine business. Merck currently markets a broad range of pediatric, adolescent and adult vaccines and is a leading provider of vaccines in countries around the world; in the U.S., Merck markets vaccines for 12 of the 17 diseases for which the U.S. Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices currently recommends vaccines. She will be responsible for the commercialization of the current portfolio of vaccines, planning for the introduction of vaccines from the company's robust vaccine pipeline, and accelerating Merck's on-going efforts to broaden access to its vaccines in the developing world. Gerberding will also collaborate with leaders of Merck Manufacturing Division and Merck Research Laboratories to manage the critical linkages between basic research, late-stage development and manufacturing to expand Merck's vaccine offerings throughout the world.
