Dr Michael Rosenblatt appointed chief medical officer Merck

Merck & Co. appoints Dr Michael Rosenblatt executive VP and chief medical officer.

He will be the company’s primary voice to the global medical community, speaking critical issues such as patient safety.

Dr Rosenblatt said, “Merck has built a great foundation on scientific innovation and dedication to the well-being of patients around the world and put an amazing team of researchers and scientists in place to drive the next wave of innovative products and services that save and improve lives

“I look forward to working with my colleagues to make a difference in the lives of people around the world. Merck is a global health care leader with a broad, diversified portfolio of innovative medicines and vaccines and I couldn’t be more pleased to join this fine organization.”

Dr Rosenblatt will report directly to Merck’s chairman, president and chief executive Richard Clark and will serve on the company’s executive committee and oversee the company's Global Center for Scientific Affairs.

Clark said: “Merck's fundamental mission is ensuring the well-being of patients worldwide and Dr Rosenblatt’s appointment reinforces our steadfast commitment to always remain focused on this goal.

“Dr. Rosenblatt's achievements in academia, clinical medicine and private industry are exceptional.”

Dr Rosenblatt has served as Dean of Tufts University School of Medicine since 2003 and prior to that was George R. Minot Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Chief of the Division of Bone and Mineral Metabolism Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC).

He served as president of BIDMC from 1999-2001 and was previously Harvard faculty dean and senior VP for academic programs at CareGroup and BIDMC and a founder of the Carl J. Shapiro Institute for Education and Research at Harvard Medical School and BIDMC.

Prior to that, he served as director of the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology.

And earlier, he was senior VP for research at Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories where he co-led the worldwide development team for alendronate (Fosamax), Merck's bisphosphonate for osteoporosis and bone disorders.

In leading most of Merck's international research efforts, he established two major basic research institutes. He also headed Merck Research's worldwide University and Industry Relations Department.