Looking back at how we’ve stayed ahead

1995 Merck shares begin trading on the Frankfurt stock exchange. With an issue volume of DM 2.4 billion, this represented the largest public offering in German history at that time. The Merck family still owns some 70% of Merck KGaA.

2003 Merck researchers receive the German Future Prize for a new generation of liquid crystals. These allow display manufacturers to mass-produce flat, energy-saving and large LCD TV screens for the first time.

2003 We launch our first cancer drug Erbitux®. Containing the first biological active ingredient offered by Merck in oncology, the monoclonal antibody cetuximab, Erbitux® now holds marketing authorizations in 76 countries worldwide.

2007 We acquire Serono and become one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in Europe. We also considerably expand our presence in the US and boost our entrepreneurial convictions.

2009 We receive the 14th IMD Lombard Odier Global Family Business Award. Considered the ‘Nobel Prize for family companies’, it recognizes global business scope, exemplary corporate governance, the involvement of multiple generations and clear, sustainable social endeavors.

2010 We acquire Millipore. With the addition of this US$ 1.7 billion business and its operations in more than 30 countries, we’re able to cover the entire value chain for our pharma and biopharma customers, and offer integrated solutions beyond chemicals.