27 March 2023
Under the Radar: In conversation with the MD of Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei at the oldest pharmaceutical company in the world - MSD; MSD’s positioning across geographical markets; Global pharmaceutical market to grow to US$2.4t in 2029; The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry; MSD’s new facilities in Singapore; Views on Singapore’s business operating environment; Focus on health literacy and health equity
Make a guess - which is the oldest pharmaceutical company in the world?
Drumrolls - the answer is Merck and Co. - also better known as MSD everywhere else in the world aside from the US and Canada.
Founded in 1891, MSD is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. The company, which is the world’s oldest still active pharmaceutical firm, is among the top 10 globally with a revenue of US$59.3 billion in 2022.
With the global pharmaceutical industry expected to grow to around US$2.4 trillion in 2029 according to Fortune Business insights, we want to find out what’s next for the company, particularly here in Singapore.
On that note, MSD announced the opening of two manufacturing facilities to produce vaccines and biologics in Singapore back in October last year. But what is the status right now, and what does the recent rise in vaccine production facilities in Singapore say of the environment the country provides for pharmaceutical businesses?
On Under the Radar, Drive Time's finance presenter Chua Tian Tian sat down with Dr. Sheriff Abdullahi, Managing Director, Singapore, Malaysia & Brunei, MSD for more.

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