Merck appoints David Kelley, M.D., to key role in growing Diabetes and Obesity franchise

Jul 24 2007

Merck & Co., Inc. has announced that David E. Kelley, M.D., has been named vice president, franchise integrator for Diabetes & Obesity. Dr. Kelley joins Merck after 20 years on staff at the University of Pittsburgh, where he most recently served as professor of medicine and director of the Obesity & Nutrition Research Center.

Based in Rahway, N.J., Dr. Kelley will oversee the lead researchers for experimental medicine, imaging and molecular profiling. He will be responsible for coordinating all biomarker, experimental medicine and imaging activities within the Company’s Diabetes and Obesity franchise with the aim of optimizing molecules through Phase IIb development. Dr. Kelley will also play a key role in advising the Franchise as to which programs are amenable to early decision making through the use of proof of concept molecules. Dr. Kelley will report directly to Dr. Luciano Rossetti, senior vice president and MRL head, Diabetes & Obesity and Cardiovascular Franchises.

Internationally recognized as an expert in insulin resistance and diabetes, Dr. Kelley’s recent research has focused on the impaired capacity for fat oxidation in skeletal muscle in these disorders, the disposition for lipid accumulation in muscle and its relation to insulin resistance, as well as mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

“Dr. Kelley will be an incredible asset to Merck's research and commercial efforts in the fields of diabetes and obesity,” said Dr. Rossetti. “In filling this position, we looked for someone with a wealth of experience who could bring new approaches and new ideas to the Franchise. We found that person in Dr. Kelley."

“This is an exciting time to join Merck, a company with a strong reputation of developing novel medicines across a variety of disease categories,” said Dr. Kelley. “Working with products like JANUVIA™, as well as the other compounds in development, I know that we’ll make significant advances in treating diabetes and obesity."

Dr. Kelley received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where he also completed his residency in internal medicine. Following several years of experience in clinical practice, Dr. Kelley received sub-specialty training in endocrinology and metabolism at the Mayo Clinic. Following his fellowship, he was recruited to the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh and was promoted to professor in 2000.

Dr. Kelley has published more than 150 peer-reviewed research papers, review articles and book chapters and, in 2005, was inducted into the prestigious American Academy of Physicians. Dr. Kelley served as associate editor of Diabetes Care (1992-96) and on the board of directors of the American Diabetes Association (2002-05). He is a member of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO), Endocrine Society and American Federation for Clinical Research, among other organizations.

Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck currently discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs. The Company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service.

http://www.merck.com.