Uniting research and manufacturing to help patients faster
The opening of our updated site in Ireland will increase collaboration and speed to market
October 5, 2023
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Great science requires collaboration. At MSD, scientists and engineers from across the company work together to achieve our purpose of using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives.
And at our new state-of-the-art site in Dunboyne, Ireland, we’re bringing together our research and manufacturing teams for the first time to support stronger collaboration during the development and manufacturing of clinical supplies.
“At Dunboyne, we’ll see the power of teamwork between the teams, creating a model that becomes our new way of working,” said Sanat Chattopadhyay, executive vice president and president, MSD Manufacturing Division. “This site offers the chance to harness the expertise of our exceptional manufacturing and research teams.”
Representatives from MSD meet with Leo Varadkar (center), the country’s prime minister — known as the taoiseach — and other Irish officials to celebrate the milestone.
Two facilities, one team
The two components of our Dunboyne site will play a pivotal role in our biologics pipeline. Combined, they represent our first single-use commercialization facility dedicated to manufacturing key biologics for clinical trials, product registration and launch. At the nearby manufacturing facility, teams design the process engineering necessary to produce biologics at a large scale.
The close collaboration of these teams will significantly increase our speed to market and ultimately quicken our ability to help patients.
"This integrated approach will use state-of-the-art scientific and technological innovations to get our medicines to people around the world who need them the most, faster than ever before.”
— Mike Kress
Senior vice president, chemistry, MSD Research Laboratories
Meet the scientist advancing respiratory health and inspiring women and Latino scientists
Dr. Carmen La Rosa is uncovering new ways to help people with respiratory conditions
October 3, 2023
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Growing up, Dr. Carmen La Rosa shared a room with her younger brother who struggled with asthma. She saw the impact of asthma on her brother’s ability to play and how it worried her parents when he was sick.
She also watched her mother care for her brother around the clock when he was sick. It was this experience that sparked her interest in medicine. Over the years, La Rosa was inspired by how much his condition improved with changes in therapy and a better understanding of how to manage his asthma.
La Rosa, second from left, with her husband and children at her son’s medical school’s white coat ceremony.
La Rosa’s family encouraged her interests in science and helping people. Today, she is the first woman in her family to become a doctor and is a leader in MSD’s respiratory research.
As a physician and clinical epidemiologist, La Rosa has worked in multiple therapeutic areas. But it’s through respiratory research where she’s currently bringing together her desire to help others and her professional goal to advance knowledge of lung health.
Delving into the science behind respiratory conditions
An important area of La Rosa’s research focus has been chronic cough, which is defined as a cough that lasts longer than eight weeks. Her team is exploring the physiology behind this condition to better understand it.
“I’ve seen how chronic cough can affect patients’ lives — physically, socially and emotionally — this is a story that needs to be told,” La Rosa said. “I’ve known many people who are struggling with respiratory diseases, and I want to help change that. As our research moves the field forward, I believe that there’s hope for these patients.”
Mentoring tomorrow’s leaders
Outside of the lab, La Rosa enjoys volunteering in her community through our employee business resource group for Hispanic and Latino colleagues and speaking with Latino students about careers in science. Her goal is to inspire other women and Latinos to pursue careers in research and medicine.
When La Rosa first started her journey to become a physician-scientist, she was unaware that drug development was an option. La Rosa wants the next generation to know about the possibilities available to them in medical research and inspire them to pursue careers in science.
“Research offers you the opportunity to explore new areas in medicine, develop study designs and ultimately uncover new treatments that may help people in need,” La Rosa said. “This purpose keeps me grounded, even on the most challenging days.”
Supermodel Veronica Webb raises awareness of lung cancer screening
Pushing past her fear, Webb learned how important it is to get screened for lung cancer
September 19, 2023
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Supermodel, mother, fashion icon and blogger Veronica Webb knew that because of her former history of smoking, combined with her age, she could be at high risk for lung cancer. Yet, getting screened for cancerwas something that always scared her.
Globally, while lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancers, routine screenings for the disease are less prevalent compared to screenings for other types of cancers such as cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, or breast cancer.
Low-dose CT scans are painless and not invasive
Webb faced her fears and, no stranger to cameras, documented her first lung screening to show others what she learned: low-dose CT scans are painless and not invasive.
“It’s totally painless and, one, two, three, it’s over,” Webb said. “Knowing I was cancer free gave me peace of mind. If the people in your life and the things you want to do in your life mean a lot to you, get screened.”
Select factors that increase your risk for lung cancer are:*
A history of smoking
Exposure to certain materials in the environment, such as radon gas, asbestos and secondhand smoke
A family history of lung cancer
Exposure to other materials that cause cancer like arsenic, chromium and nickel
*The above list does not include all risk factors for lung cancer
Macrocyclic peptides: the next wave of drug discovery
MSD scientists say the “Goldilocks” chemical modality could lead to new ways to impact disease
September 18, 2023
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Small molecules, generally taken as pills, make up nearly 90% of medicines used today. It’s hard to think of a world without them. The use of small molecules has been critical in expanding the reach of and access to medicines around the world.
But it’s challenging for small molecules to impact the large featureless surfaces of protein-protein interactions, which govern a wide range of biological processes in our bodies. To target these interactions, scientists have turned to large molecule biologic therapies, like monoclonal antibodies, which — taken by infusion or injection — have been critical in advancing the treatment of many diseases, including some cancers and autoimmune disorders.
Over a decade ago, MSD scientists began investigating a way to engineer a new type of medicine combining the ease-of-administration of a small molecule with the potency and target specificity of an antibody.
Macrocyclic peptides have shown promise in achieving this balance.
“Macrocyclic peptides allow us to cast a wider net on the protein interactions we want to drug, providing a vast and untapped opportunity to access a wider range of targets and potentially new ways to treat different diseases,” said Dani Schultz, director of chemistry, MSD Research Laboratories.
Not too big, not too small: the “Goldilocks” modality
Macrocyclic peptides have been called the “Goldilocks” chemical modality because their intermediate size combines the favorable properties of both small molecules and biologics¹. And thanks to their unique ring shape, macrocyclic peptides can cover more surface area to potentially disrupt protein-protein interactions more so than traditional, linear-shaped peptide therapies.
“The design and invention of macrocyclic peptides is notoriously complicated,” said David Thaisrivongs, director of chemistry in MSD Research Laboratories.
“Similarly, scaling production up for a macrocyclic peptide small molecule, with four to five times the size and complexity of a typical small molecule, represented a bold endeavor.”
David Thaisrivongs Director of chemistry, MSD Research Laboratories
For MSD, this work started by screening large libraries of cyclic peptides using messenger RNA display technology. This led to the identification of cyclic peptide leads that were optimized using 3-dimensional protein structure-based design and advanced computational techniques. Further molecular iterations and refinements improved the absorption, potency, and stability of the first candidate.
“A diverse, interdisciplinary team of skilled and determined people from across our chemistry organization has dedicated substantial efforts to advancing this science,” said Thaisrivongs.
A peptide renaissance
These macrocyclic peptide discovery efforts may one day allow us to treat diseases that have long evaded traditional small molecule approaches or improve access to medicines previously available only as an injectable.
“Macrocyclic peptides are a new modality and we’re still in the early stages of understanding their potential to impact disease and patient care,” said Schultz.
“There’s no playbook here, we’re innovating and developing new techniques on how to optimize and synthesize macrocyclic peptides — it’s really thrilling for me as a scientist because the potential is huge.”
Dani Schultz Director of chemistry, MSD Research Laboratories
[1] Beyond 20 in the 21st century: strengths, opportunities, and challenges of non-canonical amino acids in peptide drug discovery. Jennifer L. Hickey; A Dan Sindhikara; B Susan L. Zultanski and Danielle M. Schultz
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How we’re collaborating to address antimicrobial resistance – and why we can’t do it alone
Shared commitments like the AMR Action Fund are vital to make progress against this public health threat
September 8, 2023
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Antibiotics have transformed health care and saved countless lives. But rising levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) can make current antibiotics less effective. There’s no simple solution to the complex problem of AMR, but we’re committed to investing our expertise and resources alongside our partners to get antibiotics to those who need them most. Lives are at risk, and the time to act is now.
Through this groundbreaking partnership of over 20 leading pharmaceutical companies, philanthropies and organizations, we aim to bridge the gap between the innovative early antibiotic pipeline and patients. True to our legacy of preventing and treating infectious diseases, we’re proud of our commitment to invest $100 million over 10 years in the AMR Action Fund. The fund’s collective goal is to bring two to four novel antibiotics to patients and physicians by 2030.
As of early 2023, the AMR Action Fund has invested in five small biotech companies advancing research for new medicines to fight some of the most dangerous bacteria as determined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
Here are five reasons collaborative efforts are key to addressing AMR:
01.
New antibiotics are urgently needed; however, there are relatively few in development.
The future of antibiotic innovation is at serious risk. Major scientific, regulatory and economic challenges discourage innovation in antibiotics, resulting in a decline in the number of companies conducting antimicrobial R&D. Recognizing there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to the problem, our company and others have suggested a series of policy reforms across several regions of the world. However, time is running out. We need collaboration from policymakers to help antibiotic innovation flourish for decades to come.
02.
Once new antibiotics are approved, they need to be used responsibly.
At MSD, we’re making significant investments to support antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), a broad term for the implementation of evidence-based policies to slow resistance to current antimicrobials. Our investments and partnerships help hospitals around the world develop and implement patient-centered AMS programs that are customized locally based on factors like epidemiology, clinical setting and resource availability to support the responsible prescribing and use of antimicrobials. We also provide significant grant funding to support a wide range of AMS initiatives and collaborations.
Some of our global contributions to AMS include:
Supporting the development of several AMS Centers of Excellence throughout the world.
Helping public health leaders effectively monitor and address emerging AMR infections, promote AMS and customize accepted AMS strategies to meet local needs.
Providing significant grant-funding for numerous investigator-initiated AMS research projects.
03.
Tracking resistance trends and using data to help doctors prescribe the right medicines remains critical.
Our company has been tracking global resistance trends for over 20 years. This data helps doctors prescribe the right medicines. One of the largest and longest-running AMR surveillance programs, our Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART) program has collected nearly 500,000 Gram-Negative bacterial isolates from around 220 sites in more than 60 countries since 2002.
We’re also a partner of the AMR Register, a first-ever online platform that allows pharmaceutical companies to securely share data on infection-causing pathogens with researchers, national governments and multilateral organizations working to fight AMR.
04.
AMR extends beyond human health.
The challenge of AMR is multifaceted, and a One Health approach to creating policies is critical to attain optimal health for people, animals and the environment.
When it comes to animal health, vaccines can help minimize the need for antibiotics. MSD Animal Health is one of the largest manufacturers of animal health vaccines, supplying over 102 billion doses each year.
Protecting the environment through responsible manufacturing is another key component of the One Health approach. We work with our partners in the AMR Industry Alliance to inform science-based manufacturing standards to help ensure scrutiny of industry manufacturing supply chains.
05.
The time to act against AMR is now.
With collaboration across the scientific community and policymakers, AMR is preventable.
We all have a role to play as we prepare for the next health crisis. We must act now to put measures in place to ensure we have the antibiotics we need.
“AMR is not a future problem — it’s here now, threatening human, animal and environmental health as we know it. We must take swift, collaborative action to help reduce the risk of AMR before it’s too late,” said Jennifer Zachary, executive vice president and general counsel at MSD and member of the Global Leaders Group on AMR.
Endometrial cancer: understanding the signs and symptoms
Learn more about how you can detect endometrial cancer
August 29, 2023
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As we age, it’s important to recognize changes in the body. Irregular periods, postmenopausal bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharge, changes to bladder or bowel habits – these shifts can seem like a part of getting older. But for some, these changes can signal a more serious issue, as many mirror the symptoms of gynecologic cancers.
What is endometrial cancer?
In 2020, endometrial cancer was the second most commonly diagnosed gynecologic cancer worldwide. It occurs when cancerous cells form in the tissues of the endometrium or inner lining of the uterus.
How can I learn if I’m at risk for endometrial cancer?
While age, family history and lifestyle choices impact the risk of endometrial cancer, conditions that affect the body’s estrogen levels can also play a role. For example:
Hormone replacement therapy for menopause often includes an increase of estrogen to manage menopausal symptoms.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) usually creates higher estrogen levels and lower progesterone levels.
Estrogen modulators (tamoxifen) may cause the uterine lining to grow.
Certain comorbidities, including obesity and type 2 diabetes, have been linked as risk factors for endometrial cancer. For example, in people with obesity, fat tissue can convert certain hormones into estrogen, which increase the levels in the body.
Studies show Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with endometrial cancer than white women.
What to watch out for:
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Pelvic pain
Irregular menstrual cycles
Pain during intercourse
Postmenopausal bleeding
Abnormal vaginal discharge
Changes to bowel or bladder habits
How is endometrial cancer diagnosed?
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor about getting screened. Tests to diagnose it may include:
Endometrial biopsy: A thin, flexible tube is inserted into the uterus to collect a tissue sample from the endometrium
Dilation and curettage: The cervix is dilated to collect tissue from the inner lining of the uterus.
Hysteroscopy: An instrument with a light and lens for viewing is inserted into the uterus to look for abnormal areas.
Transvaginal ultrasound: A probe is inserted into the vagina to produce images that are used to assess the pelvic organs, including the uterus.
Being diagnosed with endometrial cancer can be scary. But by speaking with your doctor, you can better understand your options and build the best path forward.
Progress in ovarian cancer research starts with patients
Reflecting on the history of clinical research and our inspiration to continue innovating for ovarian cancer patients
August 29, 2023
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A history of groundbreaking research
More than sixty years ago, in 1958, British chemist and X-ray crystallographer Dr. Rosalind Franklin died following a two-year fight with ovarian cancer. She was only 37 years old. Her pioneering research provided the key to deciphering the structure and function of DNA — and ultimately the blueprint for life.
In 1962 her collaborators, James Watson, Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, were awarded the Nobel Prize for their “discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material.” Dr. Franklin’s untimely death denied her the acclaim of this prestigious scientific award (the Nobel Committee does not award the prize posthumously), but her role in this fundamental discovery has been well-documented and is now widely recognized.
Even today, advanced ovarian cancer remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat.
Dr. Franklin’s story of a life cut short by ovarian cancer remains all too common. But there remains a reason for optimism. The pace of change in cancer treatment has increased dramatically in recent years. Advances in research have given us a deeper understanding of how to target the disease, paving the way for new developments.
Ovarian cancer is the 8th most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the world.
In 2020, globally, it’s estimated that nearly 314,000 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which resulted in approximately 207,200 deaths.
Ovarian cancer more often causes signs and symptoms when the disease has spread, but can also cause nonspecific signs and symptoms in the early stages. Ovarian cancer is generally diagnosed after it has spread to other parts of the body.
The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
Bloating.
Pelvic pain.
Trouble eating or feeling full quickly.
Always feeling like you have to urinate, or having to urinate often.
At MSD, we are focused on translating breakthrough science into oncology therapeutics. We recognize that no two patients or cancers are the same, and multiple approaches – therapeutic regimens and mechanisms of action – will be needed to outpace this disease. That’s why we have worked rigorously to expand and diversify our own internal research programs.
There is still work to be done, but we believe strongly in our potential to transform the way certain cancers are treated. And, we are constantly inspired to work harder by stories like Dr. Rosalind Franklin’s.
MSD’s Q2 2023 results reflect sustained underlying growth. Our company announced Q2 worldwide sales of $15.0 billion, an increase of 3% from Q2 2022.
“We continue to make great progress as we advance our broad and deep pipeline, raise the bar of innovation, and bring forward leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world,” said Rob Davis, chairman and chief executive officer, MSD. “We delivered robust underlying growth during the second quarter and are well positioned to achieve strong full-year results. I’m proud of our talented, diverse and dedicated global team that continues to focus on creating value for patients and all our stakeholders now and well into the future.”
MSD anticipates full-year 2023 worldwide sales to be between $58.6 billion and $59.6 billion.
Take a look at the infographic below for more details on Q2 2023 results.
Meet two women at the forefront of our HIV research
Two esteemed scientists share their motivations and hopes for the future of HIV research
July 19, 2023
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The field of HIV research has changed drastically in the past 40 years. In that time, we’ve evolved from helping people with HIV struggle to survive to seeing them fully thrive. Now we’re chasing a cure for HIV.
On top of a shift in focus, we’ve also seen a transformation in those who occupy the research space: more and more women are joining the fight.
We spoke with two of our own researchers who are leading the charge, Bonnie Howell, Ph.D., and Rebeca Plank, M.D., about what drives them, what’s changed, and what’s next in the HIV research landscape.
What drew you to HIV research?
Rebeca Plank: I think my interest was first sparked at home by my parents, who actually met doing public health work in Chile. But it’s funny, despite that background, I wasn’t pre-med in college. I was an anthropology major. But during my senior thesis, I worked on a project around HIV prevention messaging. That stuck with me.
This includes making interventions relevant and accessible.
Bonnie Howell: I can relate to that. I started working in HIV research after years of working in oncology and quickly recognized the unmet medical need. I realized that a lot of what I learned about cancer research could be applied to HIV as well.
I became passionate about HIV research because I saw it as an opportunity to change the storyline and apply my oncology experience to this different field.
In your mind, what’s been the biggest shift in HIV care?
RP: I think the vast shift can be summed up by what I saw in med school. I was studying in San Francisco between 1996–2001, and I watched an inpatient hospital ward go from a place that housed critically ill people to a general medicine ward full of people rightfully expecting to feel better and go back home.
And that’s all due to the fast and impactful medical innovations — such as antiretrovirals to treat HIV — that helped save so many lives.
In a field that’s been historically male dominated, how does it feel to be a female in science and HIV research?
BH: My experience is definitely unique because I’ve been at MSD for my entire career — and I’ve been constantly surrounded by powerful and brilliant women. It’s been a privilege to be a part of a company that champions diversity and inclusion and has empowered me to roll up my sleeves and contribute day in and day out to this important mission.
And I’m grateful for the chance to continue to add to the legacy MSD has established for itself in HIV — helping to change the way HIV has been treated since the start of the epidemic.
RP: That said, there are still challenges facing women in HIV research. As a med student and also as a resident, it struck me that, looking around the hospital, there were relatively few women who were further along in their careers. It can be so important to see people succeeding who look like you, as role models and mentors — they show you what’s possible.
BH: I completely agree. I also count myself lucky that I was mentored by female leaders who charted the course and were instrumental in increasing the number of women in research. Now I pay that forward and mentor the next generation of female researchers — especially those pursuing HIV.
Why do you think gender diversity is critical in HIV research?
BH: Globally, women bear a huge brunt of this epidemic. A study in 2021 showed that 54% of all people with HIV are women and girls. Yet women are significantly under-represented in HIV clinical trials. We need to change that.
Equally important is making sure that the female perspective is represented within the HIV research community, so women with HIV can have advocates who share and understand their unique female experiences.
RP: Prior to joining MSD, during my time doing field work in Kenya and Botswana, I learned a lot about the nuances and unique hardships of the female HIV experience. Globally, advocating for herself may not always be a woman’s first priority. Not to mention that the stigma of HIV is still too prevalent around the world, which may make it harder to seek care.
What advancement in HIV research do you hope to see during your lifetimes?
BH: A cure. Whether that’s eradicating HIV from patients’ bodies or remission, where the virus still exists in the body but is controlled without lifelong treatment.
RP: And then getting this cure — as well as other treatments and better methods for HIV prevention — to people in need, in the manner they need it. Access remains a huge issue, and part of that is the mode of treatment such as frequency of pills or injections. We hear consistently that having discreet treatment and prevention options would be critical.
What gives you the most hope?
RP: So much can evolve in a single generation. These young women we’re working to help, someday they’ll be grandmothers. By empowering them with knowledge and by continuing our work in HIV, we hope to protect future generations.
BH: The HIV community is so passionate and engaged, and we’re designing studies and treatments with those affected in mind. I’m excited to see what the future brings.
We continue to work at the forefront of the fight against HIV
Learn more about our commitment to HIV treatments and prevention through the years.
Listen as specialists from MSD discuss what they’re most excited about in researching potential treatments for neurologic disorders
July 13, 2023
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Our scientists are revolutionizing how we discover and develop treatments to address unmet medical needs in a number of areas, including neuroscience.
“It’s sort of like the final frontier,” said Joe Herring, scientific AVP, clinical research, in our new podcast. “You’re going off into space to try to figure out how to do very difficult things.”
For more, listen in as Herring sits down with MSD clinical research team senior principal scientists Yuki Mukai and Ari Merola as well as business development director Paige Lacatena to explore today’s breakthroughs and challenges in the field of neuroscience.
