The board of Merck & Co has appointed Kenneth Frazier as chief executive, replacing Richard Clark who relinquished the post but who continues as chairman.
Mr Frazier’s appointment was widely expected as he was named president of the company in April 2010 which meant that he was in charge of Merck’s three largest divisions – pharmaceutical and vaccine research and development, manufacturing and supply, and sales and marketing.
A graduate of the Harvard Law School, Mr Frazier previously served as general counsel. He drew the attention of senior management in successfully limiting the damage from Vioxx litigation. Vioxx is a painkiller that Merck withdrew from the market in 2004.
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