Joern-Peter Halle, Global Head of Research at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany*

Our ambition is to outsmart cancer by translating our science into health. The combination of our people and heritage is a particular advantage we have in achieving this goal. Our teams are curious, bold, and driven to deliver potentially transformative medicines to patients with cancer. Our heritage of science-based precision medicine and immuno-oncology means that we can branch into synergies to bridge different aspects of cancer research, in an agile and uncompromising manner. Our research focus is on three key mechanistic pillars: oncogenic pathways; immuno-oncology (IO); and DNA damage response (DDR); and, we are developing new approaches in key tumor types in GI, GU and thoracic cancers, all areas with significant unmet treatment needs. Together, we are transforming cancer care—today and tomorrow.