Merck & Co., Inc. has appointed Jannie Oosthuizen as executive vice president and president, Oncology and MSD International. Oosthuizen most recently served as senior vice president and president, Merck Human Health U.S., where he oversaw P&L, strategy and commercialization for Merck?s portfolio in the U.S. He has extensive global marketing expertise and proven commercial results in oncology markets around the world. In addition, Brian Foard will join the company as executive vice president and president, Specialty, Pharma & Infectious Diseases, effective March 2, 2026.
Foard most recently served as executive vice president and head of Specialty Care Business Unit at Sanofi. In this role, he oversaw a diverse portfolio of products spanning immunology, neurology, oncology and rare diseases. Before joining Sanofi, Foard spent almost two decades with Galderma, a Swiss pharmaceutical company that specializes in dermatological treatments, serving in roles of increasing responsibility in the U.S. and globally.
Foard and Oosthuizen will both report to Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer, and serve as members of the company?s executive team. This new structure will position the company to harness the potential of its broad and increasingly diversified late-stage pipeline to continue delivering for patients. Merck is currently conducting approximately 80 Phase 3 studies, and the company expects more than 20 new growth drivers over next several years, almost all with blockbuster potential.
Chirfi Guindo has been appointed executive vice president, Strategic Access, Policy & Communications and will continue serving as a member of the executive team. This organization integrates access, policy, communications and sustainability to strengthen alignment between strategy and execution and ensure clear, consistent engagement with stakeholders in the U.S. and globally. Guindo most recently served as senior vice president and chief marketing officer; he brings deep experience across commercial disciplines, international policy and global patient access to this new organization.
