Merck, one of the oldest chemical and pharmaceutical companies in the world, has long been a family affair. The pharmaceutical giant was born in 1668 when Friedrich Jacob Merck, an apothecary, acquired the “Engel-Apotheke” in Darmstadt, Germany. Emanuel Merck took over the pharmacy in 1816 and began to manufacture bulk quantities of alkaloids, plant extracts and other chemicals. 1888 saw the market introduction of “Merck’s guaranteed pure reagents.”

Increased sales led to Merck’s worldwide expansion. In 1891, George Merck, grandson of Emanuel Merck, took over the company’s New York office and established Merck & Co. In 1902, he began the manufacture of fine chemicals including bismuths, iodides, and narcotics such as morphine and cocaine. Although World War I forced Merck & Co. to sever ties with its German parent, expansion continued under the guidance of George's son, George W. Merck. Mergers in 1927 with chemical producer PWR and in 1953 with pharmaceutical company Sharp & Dohme steered the chemical manufacturer into the business of pharmaceutical research.

Work in the Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories brought about unique new products in the treatment and prevention of disease. In 1973, Sinemet was introduced for treating Parkinson's disease. The glaucoma medicine Timoptic and Heptavax-B hepatitis B vaccine followed.

Among Merck & Co.’s most successful pharmaceuticals are Zocor and Mevacor, cholesterol drugs that control 40% of the world market. In addition, Merck has the top-selling drug for hypertension (Vasotec) as well as new drugs such as Crixivan (AIDS treatment) and Propecia (for baldness).

Bioanalytical Systems, Inc.