Merck Announces New Board of Directors

Merck, a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life sciences and performance materials, announced its new Board of Management effective as of April 2021. Stefan Oschmann, who has served on the Merck Board of Management for a total of nine years, including five years as Board Chairman and CEO, will hand over the chairmanship to Belén Garijo effective end of April 2021. Belén Garijo, who will assume her new position on 1 May 2021, currently serves as Board Vice Chair and CEO Delegate of Merck, as well as CEO of the Healthcare Division. Johannes Baillou, Chairman of the Merck KG Partners' Assembly, expressed his gratitude to Stefan Oschmann, stating: "Merck's exceptionally strong portfolio, extraordinary company value and bright future are closely linked to Stefan Oschmann. Oschmann significantly shaped the company's transformation into a globally leading science and technology enterprise. He played an active role particularly in steering the company toward digital innovation and new business models. Merck will benefit from this in the long term." Noting that Belén Garijo will take over the Merck Board Chairmanship as an internationally experienced and well-respected executive, Baillou continued: "Belén Garijo, who knows our company extremely well, has done outstanding work in transforming our healthcare sector. Belén Garijo and Stefan Oschmann have been working together in close and trust-based collaboration for years. This will ensure a seamless transition and continuity in corporate governance."

Almirall's CEO to join management

Peter Guenter, who has served as CEO of Barcelona-based publicly traded pharmaceutical company Almirall since 2017, will join the Merck Board of Management effective 1 January 2021. Guenter will assume responsibility as Chairman (CEO) of the Healthcare Division Board of Management and will be based in Darmstadt, where the company is headquartered. Johannes Baillou, Chairman of E. Merck KG Partners' Assembly, stated in a related announcement: "Peter Guenter brings years of experience and extensive expertise in the international pharmaceutical industry. Guenter will work with our global team to ensure a successful future for our Healthcare Division."

Transfer from DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences to Merck

Matthias Heinzel, currently President of DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences, will also join the Merck Board of Management effective 1 April 2021. Heinzel will assume responsibility as Chairman (CEO) of the Life Sciences Division Board of Management and will be based in Burlington, Massachusetts and Darmstadt. A member of the DuPont Board of Management, Heinzel has held various global management positions at DuPont in the United States and Germany since 2003. Johannes Baillou, Chairman of the Merck KG Partners' Assembly, stated in a related announcement: "The Covid-19 pandemic once again demonstrated the potential of our Life Sciences business to serve as a problem solver. We are pleased that Matthias Heinzel, an internationally experienced executive, will join us taking over this important position in an highly innovation-focused environment. Heinzel will strengthen our successful operations with our global Life Sciences team." The structure of the Merck Board of Management will be as follows effective May 2021:

Belén Garijo, Board Chairman and CEO

Board of Management responsibility for Group Communications / Corporate Relations / Environment, Health, Safety, Quality / Human Resources / Internal Audit / Legal and Compliance / Strategy and Transformation divisions

Kai Beckman, Board Member

Performance Materials CEO and Board of Management responsibility for Group Internal Consulting / Patents and Scientific Information / Field Operations divisions

Peter Guenter, Board Member

Healthcare CEO

Matthias Heinzel, Board Member

Life Sciences CEO

Marcus Kuhnert, Board Member

CFO and Board of Management responsibility for Group Information Technology / Procurement / Merck Business Services divisions