Merck Restructures Human Health Division into Two Business Units, Names New Executives

Rahway-based pharmaceutical giant Merck announced Monday it is restructuring its Human Health division into two separate business units as part of an effort to strengthen commercial operations and support its expanding drug pipeline.

The company will reorganize the division into an Oncology business unit and a Specialty, Pharma & Infectious Diseases business unit, according to the Feb. 23 announcement. Merck said the restructuring will help maintain its leadership position in cancer treatments while sharpening focus on upcoming drug launches across its broadening portfolio.

As part of the reorganization, Merck appointed Jannie Oosthuizen as executive vice president and president of oncology and MSD international, according to the company. Oosthuizen previously served as senior vice president and president of Merck Human Health U.S.

The company also named Brian Foard as executive vice president and president of specialty, pharma & infectious diseases, effective March 2. Foard joins Merck from French pharmaceutical company Sanofi, where he served as executive vice president and head of the specialty care business unit. Both executives will report directly to CEO Robert Davis and serve on Merck’s executive team.

Additionally, Merck promoted Chirfi Guindo to executive vice president of strategic access, policy & communications. In this newly created role, Guindo will lead an integrated function designed to strengthen alignment between strategy and execution across access, policy and communications, according to the company. Guindo previously served as chief marketing officer and will remain on the executive team.

“Merck is pleased to welcome Brian Foard, an experienced executive with a proven track record of strategic leadership across specialty biopharma and commercial execution,” Davis said in a statement. “As we advance our pipeline and drive commercial success across an increasingly diversified portfolio, including a growing pipeline across Specialty, Pharma & Infectious Diseases, we are sharpening our focus on delivering innovative medicines for patients and creating long‑term value for our stakeholders.”

The restructuring positions Merck to capitalize on what the company describes as a robust late-stage pipeline. The company said this pipeline includes approximately 80 Phase 3 studies and more than 20 potential new growth drivers expected in the coming years.

Foard expressed enthusiasm about joining the Rahway-headquartered company during what he characterized as a pivotal period. “Merck has a remarkable legacy of scientific leadership and a clear ambition to shape the future of medicine,” he said in a statement. “Its commitment to patients, the strength of its pipeline, and the caliber of its people are truly inspiring. I look forward to working with the teams … to advance innovative solutions for patients and help unlock the next phase of growth for the company.”

The announcement reflects Merck’s efforts to optimize its organizational structure as it manages an increasingly diverse portfolio of medicines and treatments in development. The company’s Human Health division has been a key revenue driver, particularly through its cancer immunotherapy drug Keytruda, which has become one of the world’s best-selling cancer treatments.

The new structure separates oncology operations from other therapeutic areas, potentially allowing for more specialized focus and resource allocation across different disease areas. This approach aligns with industry trends toward more targeted organizational structures as pharmaceutical companies manage complex, multi-billion-dollar drug development programs across various medical specialties.

Merck’s restructuring comes as the pharmaceutical industry faces increasing pressure to deliver innovative treatments while managing costs and regulatory requirements across global markets.