Merck’s Head of Human Resources Mirian M. Graddick-Weir to Retire; Steven C. Mizell Will Assume Role on Oct. 1

KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced the retirement effective November 30, 2018 of its chief human resources officer Mirian M. Graddick-Weir, following 12 years of service with the company. She will be succeeded by Steven C. Mizell, who will join the company in October 2018.

Graddick-Weir joined Merck in 2006. During her tenure, she has been instrumental in leading global and transformational change across the business and the human resources function as well as strengthening the diverse pipeline of talent. She will remain with the company until November and will work closely with Mizell to ensure a successful transition. “Mirian has made significant, enduring contributions as a member of Merck’s senior leadership team,” said Kenneth C. Frazier, Merck chairman and chief executive officer. “Her work has positioned us to better attract and develop the workforce of the future.”

Mizell will join Merck from Monsanto, where he served as executive vice president and chief human resources officer since 2004. He will be responsible for the company’s global human resources function and will serve as a member of Merck’s Executive Committee. “We are pleased to welcome Steve as our new chief human resources officer,” said Frazier. “His experience in leading human resources organizations, counseling leaders and board of directors and maximizing human capital around the world will make him a valuable contributor to our team.”

Throughout his career, Mizell has held positions of increasing responsibility across a range of disciplines within the human resources field. Prior to his role at Monsanto, Mizell was senior vice president and chief corporate resources officer for Advance PCS, a large prescription benefit plan administrator. He also was senior vice president and chief human resources and real estate officer for the technology company Zilog, Inc. Mizell is a Board Member of Oshkosh Corporation, a manufacturer of specialty vehicles and access equipment. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Management and Public Policy Analysis from Carnegie Mellon University.

“Given Merck’s legacy, values and impact on the world, I couldn’t be more honored to join the company,” said Mizell. “I look forward to contributing to the Executive Committee and the organization at large.”

“I am proud of the Merck Human Resources team and its contributions to the company during my 12 years leading this world-class HR organization,” said Graddick-Weir. “I will leave Merck feeling satisfied that I have contributed to its long-term mission and improving its most important resource, which is people.”

About Merck

For more than a century, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to advance the prevention and treatment of diseases that threaten people and communities around the world - including cancer, cardio-metabolic diseases, emerging animal diseases, Alzheimer’s disease and infectious diseases including HIV and Ebola. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA

This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

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