Why is Merck Restructuring Healthcare & Oncology for Growth?

Merck & Co, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has announced a major evolution of its Human Health organisational structure aimed at strengthening commercial execution across a broad and increasingly diverse portfolio. 

The move helps to reflect the company’s commitment to sustaining leadership in key therapeutic areas while preparing for a wave of anticipated product launches. 

With a robust late-stage pipeline and numerous Phase 3 trials underway, the restructuring is designed to align strategy, operations and patient access efforts more closely. 

The changes underscore Merck’s focus on delivering innovative medicines and long-term value in a rapidly evolving global healthcare landscape.

Realigning for business growth

Merck’s Human Health business is set to operate through two dedicated units: an Oncology Business Unit and a Specialty, Pharma & Infectious Diseases Business Unit. 

This reorganisation is intended to sharpen focus in high-growth therapeutic areas while ensuring strong commercial readiness for upcoming launches. 

By separating oncology from other specialty and infectious disease portfolios, the company aims to enhance agility, accountability and tailored market strategies.

The restructuring comes at a pivotal time, as Merck is conducting approximately 80 Phase 3 studies and anticipates more than 20 new growth drivers in the coming years, most with blockbuster potential. 

A more specialised business unit model allows the organisation to better allocate resources, streamline decision-making and optimise global launch execution across varied healthcare markets.

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A change in leadership

To lead the Oncology Business Unit, Merck has appointed Jannie Oosthuizen as executive vice president and president, Oncology and MSD International. 

Jannie previously served as Senior Vice President and President of Merck Human Health US, where he oversaw profit and loss, strategy and commercialisation efforts across the company’s domestic portfolio. 

His experience in global oncology markets and track record of commercial performance position him to sustain and expand Merck’s leadership in cancer care.

Brian Foard will join Merck as executive vice president and president of the Specialty, Pharma & Infectious Diseases Business Unit, effective March 2. 

Brian most recently served as Executive Vice President and Head of the Specialty Care Business Unit at Sanofi, where he managed a diverse portfolio spanning immunology, neurology, oncology and rare diseases. 

Earlier in his career, he spent nearly two decades at Galderma, a Swiss pharmaceutical company specialising in dermatological treatments. 

Both Jannie and Brian will report directly to Robert M. Davis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and serve on the company’s 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,” says Robert M. Davis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. 

“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.”

Strengthening policy and global engagement

In parallel with the business unit restructuring, Merck has appointed Chirfi Guindo as Executive Vice President, Strategic Access, Policy & Communications. 

This newly integrated organisation brings together access, policy, communications and sustainability functions to reinforce alignment between corporate strategy and stakeholder engagement worldwide. 

“I am honoured to join Merck at such an important moment in its journey,” says Brian Foard, future Executive Vice President and President, Specialty, Pharma & Infectious Diseases.

“Merck has a remarkable legacy of scientific leadership and a clear ambition to shape the future of medicine. 

“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 across Specialty, Pharma & Infectious Diseases to advance innovative solutions for patients and help unlock the next phase of growth for the company.”

By consolidating these disciplines, Merck aims to ensure consistent communication and improved access to medicines across the United States and international markets.

Chirfi, who most recently served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, brings extensive experience across commercial strategy, global patient access and international policy. 

His leadership aims to support Merck’s efforts to navigate complex regulatory environments, expand access to innovative therapies and reinforce the company’s long-standing commitment to patients. 

Collectively, these structural and leadership changes aid in positioning Merck to harness the full potential of its expanding pipeline and deliver meaningful advances in healthcare.