Merck announced that Dr. Roy D. Baynes, head of Global Clinical Development (GCD) and Chief Medical Officer, Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), will be retiring from Merck in July. Dr. Baynes will be succeeded by Dr. Eliav Barr, effective April 1, 2022. Dr. Baynes will continue to report to Dr. Dean Y. Li, president, Merck Research Laboratories, until his retirement.
“Roy is one of the world’s pre-eminent oncologists and clinical development experts, and his masterful spearheading of the development of KEYTRUDA leaves an indelible mark on Merck, on oncology and on the lives of patients and their families. As textbooks are updated to reflect the era of immuno-oncology, Roy’s contributions cannot be overstated, and will persist far beyond his eight years with Merck,” said Dr. Li. “I know there are many who join me in thanking Roy for his efforts and wishing him well in his next chapter.”
Dr. Baynes joined Merck in 2013. Under his leadership, Merck has become a leading oncology company and achieved more than 140 medicine and vaccine approvals globally across numerous therapeutic areas. This includes the development of KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), WELIREG™ (belzutifan), VAXNEUVANCE™ (Pneumococcal 15-valent Conjugate Vaccine), ZEPATIER® (elbasvir and grazoprevir), LAGEVRIO® (molnupiravir), ZERBAXA® (ceftolozane and tazobactam), RECARBRIO™ (relebactam), PREVYMIS® (letermovir), BRIDION® (sugammadex) among others and, in collaboration with AstraZeneca, Eisai and Bayer, the development of Lynparza (olaparib), Lenvima (lenvatinib) and VERQUVO™ (vericiguat), respectively. He also led the expansion of Merck’s research and development in China and Japan.
“It has been a privilege to have led the global clinical development organization during my tenure at Merck,” said Dr. Baynes. “I am immensely proud of the team’s accomplishments and the difference we are making in the lives of patients worldwide. I look forward to continuing to work with Eliav in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition.”
Subscribe to our e-Newsletters
Stay up to date with the latest news, articles, and events. Plus, get special offers
from American Pharmaceutical Review – all delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up now!