From cholera to Covid-19: Major challenges, strong roots

Faced with historical challenges, it’s not only worth taking a look at the history books – but also at the company archives. Merck's history also bears witness to devastating epidemics time and again. Above all, however, it highlights the great commitment of Merck colleagues to fight disease in collaboration with others.

1830: Threat of the cholera epidemic

Following the growing demand for chlorinated lime owing to an imminent cholera epidemic in 1830, Merck prepared to mass-produce the disinfectant. As the threat of infection reached critical levels, the project had to be completed quicker than planned.

The factory built outside the city to manufacture chlorinated lime was in use from October until the end of December 1831. The quality of the product was far superior to the offering of other manufacturers and the product was sold beyond the borders of the Grand Duchy of Hesse.

1895: Together against diphtheria

Until the end of the 19th century, diphtheria, commonly known as "the strangling angel of children", was one of the most feared childhood diseases with a particularly high mortality rate. Medicine was virtually helpless in the face of such infections until, thanks to intensive bacteriological and immunological research, radically new drugs such as vaccines, sera and diagnostics had been added to the pharmaceutical armamentarium. Merck was heavily involved in their manufacture. While in 1892, 50,000 children died of diphtheria in Germany alone, in 1895, one year after the diphtheria serum developed by Emil von Behring was used for the first time, the mortality rate declined by more than half.

Merck too established a department of bacteriology and dedicated significant resources to work on the continuous improvement of a relevant serum: In 1895, diphtheria serum in strengths equivalent to 100, 200 and 300 immunization units was launched. Five years later, with the development of a 1000-strength serum, the company "propelled ahead of its competitors."

The flu epidemic of 1957

In 1957, Germany was exposed to a major flu epidemic. The vitamin preparations and specialties intended to combat the symptoms of the common cold dominated the sales of the pharmaceutical business. With increased demand for medicines and a sick leave rate of up to 40% at Merck itself, personnel problems and shipping delays became noticeable. However, a special program was put in place to clear the order backlog by deploying additional manpower, for example from the commercial departments.

2020: Covid-19

Today, Merck is contributing to the global Covid -19 response in many ways. We provide solutions for scientists to detect and characterize viruses and to develop vaccines and therapies. We supply medicines for those who are among the most vulnerable in this pandemic, patients affected by other serious diseases. And we produce electronic materials that help people worldwide to stay connected, whether in research, business or private life.

Merck is also donating disinfectants and respiratory masks, participating in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation initiative and the European JEDI research competition, and supporting the Jenner Institute in the development of a vaccine.

In the past and today, we rise to the occasion and lend support as best we can. And we will continue to do the same in the future, that's what we stand for at Merck. This is what drives us.