Merck Animal Health: President appointed

DeLuca, 48, will report to Kenneth C. Frazier, Merck’s president and chief executive officer, and will serve on the company’s Executive Committee.  He will succeed Raul Kohan, who has decided to retire from the company.  Kohan will remain with the company until the end of the year, reporting to Frazier, to ensure a smooth transition.

 

 As leader of Merck Animal Health, DeLuca will leverage the division’s strong product portfolio and customer focus to capitalize on new growth opportunities, including expanding the business in emerging markets.  The unit offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments a broad range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets.

 

Frazier said “We are delighted to welcome Rick DeLuca as the new leader of our Animal Health division, with his experience leading and growing international animal health businesses.” 

 

 “I also want to thank Raul for his steady leadership in bringing together Intervet and Schering-Plough Animal Health and maintaining the unit’s strong performance through the merger and integration of Merck and Schering-Plough to create a highly competitive and valuable animal health franchise,” Frazier added.  “Raul’s contributions to this important part of our business and his development of an experienced senior leadership team, created a firm foundation upon which Rick can build going forward.  We appreciate Raul’s dedication to ensuring a smooth leadership transition in the coming months before he retires from Merck.”

 

  “This is a wonderful time to join Merck, with its commitment to growing its animal health business,” said DeLuca.   

 

  DeLuca served as chief financial officer of BD Biosciences since 2010.  Prior to that, he was president of Wyeth’s Fort Dodge Animal Health division since 2007.  While at Wyeth, DeLuca led a global team across all functions of the business unit with worldwide revenues of over $1 billion.

 

 For more info: www.merck-animal-health.com