“This will increase Merck’s presence in the world’s largest pharmaceutical market and will help solidify our position as the world’s third-largest global generics company,” said Hank Klakurka, CEO of the Merck Generics Group, a wholly owned business of Merck KGaA in Darmstadt, Germany.
Robert Mauro has been named president of Genpharm, after resigning as interim chief executive officer of troubled drugs manufacturer Able Laboratories at the start of July. Mauro has more than 25 years of pharmaceutical experience in executive management functions in the US.
Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with sales of E5.9 billion in 2004, its operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds a 73% interest and free shareholders own the remaining 27%.