Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has announced that Michael Klobuchar has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), a newly created role, effective July 5, 2021.

As CSO, Klobuchar will become a member of Merck’s Executive Committee and lead the advancement and execution of the company’s strategy.

Rob Davis, President, Merck said, “Mike’s insights, experience in key strategic, operational and financial roles, and deep commitment to scientific innovation will help drive our company’s evolution, and I look forward to collaborating with him in this important new role.”

“I am honored to become Merck’s chief strategy officer, and I look forward to working closely with Rob and the Executive Committee to advance our company’s strategy and amplify the impact of our company’s remarkable scientific capabilities in an evolving industry,” said Michael Klobuchar.

Klobuchar is currently senior vice president, Merck Research Laboratories Finance and Global Project and Alliance Management. Prior to that he was the company’s senior vice president, Corporate Strategy and Financial Planning, and president, Merck Global Health Innovation Fund. Mike joined Merck in 1998 as a synthetic process development engineer supporting new pipeline candidates within MRL and has since held key technical, operational and financial roles across several areas of the company.