Full-Time
Posted on 9/30/2025
Pharmaceutical company developing medicines and vaccines
$104.2k - $163.9k/yr
No H1B Sponsorship
Vermont, USA + 3 more
More locations: Concord, NH, USA | Maine, USA | Massachusetts, USA
In Person
Field-based position covering Northern New England territory, including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and a small portion of northern Massachusetts.
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Merck is a global healthcare company that develops medicines, vaccines, and animal health products. It advances long-term health by conducting research and development to create new treatments for diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, then brings these medicines to patients, healthcare professionals, and institutions worldwide. The company’s products work by undergoing scientific discovery, clinical testing, and regulatory approval before being manufactured and sold or distributed through patient assistance programs. What sets Merck apart is its large, diversified portfolio across human medicines, vaccines, and animal health, along with a strong emphasis on R&D, global reach, and support services like Merck Connect and Merck Manuals that provide professional resources. Merck’s goal is to tackle major health threats by applying science to discover and deliver therapies that improve patient outcomes and public health across the globe.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Kenilworth, Illinois
Founded
1891
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Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
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401(k) Retirement Plan
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Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Hybrid Work Options
Engagement update with Merck & co on animal testing and packaging. By Ffion Spencer * Share * April 27/04/2026, 12:00 AM As part of its ongoing efforts to improve performance across key environmental, social, transparency and governance (E.S.T.) metrics, Castlefield Partners Limited recently engaged with US pharmaceutical company Merck & co., held in the castlefield thoughtful World Equity Fund, to discuss its approach to animal testing, the use of animal-derived ingredients, and packaging practices. At a recent External Advisory Committee meeting, the committee highlighted increasing numbers of animals being used in animal testing across the pharmaceutical sector. Around the same time, Castlefield Partners Limited also received a client query relating to the use of animal derived ingredients in pharmaceutical products. This engagement therefore focused on three material topics for the pharmaceutical industry: animal testing, the use of animal derived ingredients in products, and plastic use. In its initial response, Merck explained that it makes extensive use of non animal research methods, including in vitro techniques, computer modelling and advanced imaging, prior to or instead of animal studies. The company shared that approximately 96% of its research animals are rodents and confirmed that it maintains detailed records on animal use across species, purpose and site, including research carried out by third party organisations on Merck's behalf. As Merck has confirmed that it maintains this data internally, Castlefield Partners Limited has encouraged greater transparency through public disclosure. Castlefield Partners Limited also encouraged the company to consider setting reduction targets on this topic. While this response suggests a baseline level of governance and oversight, Castlefield Partners Limited believe there is scope for further progress. Castlefield Partners Limited has followed up and are awaiting further written responses.Castlefield Partners Limited note that some peers, including French pharmaceutical company Sanofi, which is also held in the World Equity Fund, publish the total number of animals used for scientific research on an annual basis. As Merck has confirmed that it maintains this data internally, Castlefield Partners Limited has encouraged greater transparency through public disclosure. Castlefield Partners Limited also encouraged the company to consider setting reduction targets on this topic. On animal derived ingredients, Merck highlighted the use of specialised tools to identify potential non animal alternatives, indicating consideration of reduction and substitution where scientifically feasible. On plastics, the company shared that it has developed a long term roadmap aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its packaging, suggesting an acknowledgement of plastics as a material environmental issue within its operations. Overall, while Merck provided high level information across all three topics, the most detailed discussion related to animal testing, reflecting its materiality to the sector. Outcome: Its engagement confirmed that Merck has a level of baseline governance on these topics. However, further engagement with the company is required, particularly in relation to transparency and disclosure on the number of animals used in scientific testing. Information is accurate as at 20.04.2026. Opinions constitute the fund manager's judgement as of this date and are subject to change without warning. The officers, employees and agents of CIP may have positions in any securities mentioned herein. This material may not be distributed, published or reproduced in whole or in part. With investment, capital is at risk.
Merck's cancer drug Keytruda has become a pricing flashpoint in US healthcare, with a single 400mg dose billed at $162,567 at a California clinic, despite Merck's list price of $24,000. The drug generated $31.7 billion in worldwide sales in 2025, representing nearly half of Merck's revenue. A joint investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and USA TODAY found Merck employs multiple tactics to maintain high prices, including building patent walls against generic competition, lobbying against Medicare price negotiations, and maintaining higher dosing despite studies suggesting weight-based dosing would be effective and cheaper. Whilst Merck CEO Robert Davis pledged support for President Trump's drug pricing initiatives in December, he made no commitments regarding Keytruda. Merck attributes US price inflation to pharmacy benefit managers and insurers who add fees and rebates.
Merck has announced a collaboration with Infinimmune, a California-based biotech founded in 2022, worth up to $838 million to discover new antibody drug candidates. The deal targets multiple undisclosed targets selected by Merck, though upfront payment details were not disclosed. Infinimmune's platform identifies promising antibodies by studying memory B cells from the human immune system. The company claims it can identify antibodies binding to a target within one week and prepare candidates for animal studies in roughly three months. Chief executive Wyatt McDonnell described the approach as building a massive database of immune cell information that can be searched for matching antibodies. The 10-person startup is also developing IFX-101, its lead candidate for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, designed for quarterly or twice-yearly dosing.
Merck & Co. (NYSE: MRK) received a price target increase from JPMorgan to $135 from $125 on 6 April, maintaining an Overweight rating ahead of its 30 April earnings report. The firm highlighted Merck's pipeline as the primary focus, citing a favourable risk-return setup with key data readouts expected in 2026 and 2027. On 2 April, Merck announced EU approval for KEYTRUDA combined with paclitaxel for adults with platinum-resistant ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal carcinoma. The approval marks the first PD-1 inhibitor-based option for eligible patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer in the EU and extends across all 27 member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Merck launches phase 2b/3 MALBEC trial of MK-8748 in wet AMD. MALBEC (NCT07440225) is a randomized, double-masked trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of MK-8748 at 2 dose levels versus control (aflibercept 2mg). Merck has initiated MALBEC, its phase 2b/3 clinical trial evaluating MK-8748 (also known as Tiespectus, EYE201) for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD). MK-8748 is defined by the company as a "novel investigational bispecific antibody with a dual mechanism that directly activates the Tie2 pathway and inhibits VEGF with the goal of stabilizing retinal and choroidal blood vessels and reducing fluid accumulation in the macula." According to the company, preclinical evidence may suggest that dual pathway modulation helps improve vascular stability in the retina and supports vision preservation in patients with certain vascular retinal diseases.[1] MALBEC is a randomized, double-masked trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of MK-8748 at 2 dose levels versus control (aflibercept 2mg). The primary endpoint of the trial is mean change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to Year 1 in the study eye of the participants, using standardized Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) vision. Patients will be randomized 1:1:1 to receive 2 dose regimens of MK-8748 or aflibercept 2mg. Patients will initially receive 3 monthly doses of MK-8748 or aflibercept 2mg. These doses will be followed by treatments every 8 weeks until week 48. Following week 48, patients will be treated at intervals determined based on individualized response to treatment, with the last study visit at week 96. David Guyer, MD, founder, CEO and president of, commented on the trial in a press release from the company, saying, "Despite available therapies, many patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration remain at risk of further vision loss due to continued vascular leakage. With its differentiated dual mechanism directly agonizing Tie2 and inhibiting VEGF, MK-8748 has the potential to offer a novel approach to maintain vascular stability for patients with serious retinal diseases." In addition to MALBEC, the company intends to initiate a second study in wet AMD in 2026. The company noted that the plan to advance into pivotal studies is based on results from the Phase 1/2a RIOJA trial, which was a 2-part study evaluating MK-8748 in patients with either wet AMD, macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), or diabetic macular edema (DME). In addition to MK-8748, Merck is developing MK-3000 (also known as Restoret, EYE103) for the treatment of DME. MK-3000 is currently being evaluated in the BRUNELLO trial, a randomized, double-masked trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of 2 dose levels of intravitreal MK-3000 versus active control ranibizumab.[2] References: Don't miss out - get Ophthalmology Times updates on the latest clinical advancements and expert interviews, straight to your inbox.