At Merck, we are curious, we constantly ask questions and seek out answers. Why? Because we believe breakthroughs begin with curiosity and it’s this curiosity that allows us to introduce ourselves as a vibrant science and technology company able to make a positive difference in millions of people’s lives every day. Present in 66 countries, Merck accepts the questions posed by science and technology that drive our 58,000 employees in search of solutions to some of today’s toughest challenges.
Born more than 350 years ago, in 1668, and present in Portugal for almost a century; which makes us the oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company in the world, Merck continues today to push the boundaries of what is possible, and is always committed to patients.
At Merck we are on a mission to help patients. To achieve this we are united ‘As One for Patients’ to help create, improve and prolong life and ultimately offer the highest possible benefits to millions of people around the world. Our purpose is the reason why we do what we do, every day. It motivates all of us to always give our best and continuously improve how we work together. Because we understand that every single one of us has impact on the lives of patients, the lives of the people around us and the lives of our loved ones
Acting ‘As One for Patients’ can mean overcoming adversity and challenges. It can mean being curious, sharing ideas and challenging the status quo. Always facilitated by a culture open to dialogue and collaboration. It might be a common statement but this is what makes us unique at Merck. It is in our spirit to explore better and deeper than anyone else while building the trust with our partners, our customers and above all with our patients and the ones that take care of them. We are truly dedicated to working ‘As One for Patients’ and we are proud to say that we work side by side with the patients to find solutions that will ultimately satisfy their unmet needs. We are proud to reflect our purpose, not only in the way we work but also by trying to understand the needs of patients and their carers.
The perfect example of this is our global “Embracing Carers”, a Global Program that we brought to Portugal under the name of “Movimento Cuidar dos Cuidadores Informais” in 2020. Caring for who cares is the claim of this program that highlights the unmet needs of carers on a country and global level, empowering them to advocate for their own health and well-being, and develops tangible support for carers everywhere. In Portugal the Movement has around 30 patient associations already from every disease and from anywhere.
We consider ourselves innovators, as innovation is a big part of what we do, a work bolstered by collaborations and external innovation that enhances our scientific capabilities. In Portugal, an example of this is the partnership with iBET – Institute of Experimental and Technological Biology. Located in Oeiras, it’s an institution with whom we have a long partnership and share a laboratory dedicated to the development of biochemical assays and the study of molecular interactions, to increases the capacity to discover new therapeutics and alternative products.
We work in different therapeutic areas, like oncology, providing the innovations that matter most to people living with cancer. In the area of neurology, we are backed by more than 20 years of experience on multiple sclerosis to stay committed to finding solutions for patients’ unmet needs. Cardiometabolic and endocrine conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, growth hormone disorders, and hypothyroidism are areas in which we are also committed, trying to improve the patient’s outcomes. Finally, we help to create lives, making available treatments that support people on their fertility journey, providing solutions that empower fertility experts and clinics to continuously improve reproductive outcomes.
And all of this is only possible because we are curious. Because sometimes, all it takes is a spark of curiosity
