As VP & Head, External Scientific Affairs at Merck & Co., Greg Wiederrecht is responsible for the scientific side of the licensing process. Taking the lead in deal making in the early stages, Dr Wiederrecht looks for strong and innovative science and, with Merck's recent decision to focus on basic research, his role is vital. Here he explains the role of his department and how they work with the global scouts and the corporate licensing group to ensure that deals Merck makes are founded on solid science.

Dr Greg Wiederrecht
Vice President and Head of the External Scientific Affairs
Merck & Co., Inc.

Dr. Greg Wiederrecht joined Merck in 1989 and is now the Vice President and Head of the External Scientific Affairs department of the Merck Research Laboratories division of Merck & Co., Inc. External Scientific Affairs is responsible for the scientific assessment of all licensing and partnering opportunities for Merck.

Greg Wiederrecht recieved his PhD in biochemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a range of products to improve human and animal health. Established in 1891, the Company’s operations are principally managed on a products basis and comprises of two business segments: the Pharmaceutical segment and the Vaccines segment. The Pharmaceutical segment includes human health pharmaceutical products marketed either directly or through joint ventures. Merck sells these human health pharmaceutical products primarily to drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies and managed health care providers, such as health maintenance organisations, pharmacy benefit managers and other institutions. The Vaccines segment includes human health vaccine products marketed either directly or through a joint venture. These products consist of preventative pediatric, adolescent and adult vaccines, primarily administered at physician offices.