Longtime exec returns to Merck as CMO for Human Health

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Biopharmaceutical giant Merck announced June 21 that Chirfi Guindo will lead Human Health Marketing as chief marketing officer for Merck Human Health, effective July 1.

Guindo will report directly to Merck CEO and President Robert Davis.

In his new role, Guindo will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of the company’s long-term strategy for the Human Health portfolio, which includes oncology, vaccines, pharmaceutical and pipeline products.

Other recently announced appointments for the division include Jannie Oosthuizen, who will lead Merck Human Health U.S., and Joe Romanelli, who will lead Merck Human Health International, effective Aug. 1. Both will also report to Davis. Deepak Khanna, interim leader of Human Health International, will retire from the Rahway-based company at the end of 2022.

In a statement, Davis described Guindo as “a purpose-driven leader, dedicated to saving and improving lives around the world.”

We are pleased to announce that Chirfi Guindo will join Merck as Chief Marketing Officer for Merck Human Health, effective July 1, 2022. Learn more here: https://t.co/LZmuKLBi9P pic.twitter.com/7k0bCVTkAu

— Merck (@Merck) June 21, 2022

“He has deep experience and a proven track record in strategy, marketing and commercialization across primary care, specialty care and rare diseases, in both developed and developing markets,” Davis continued.

Guindo is not new to Merck, having previously joined the company in 1990 and spending more than 25 years in finance, sales, commercial and marketing roles in the U.S. and worldwide. He led global marketing for Merck’s HIV portfolio and also led its Human Health businesses in Canada, the Netherlands and South Africa, according to the company.

In 2017, Guindo accepted a position as executive vice president and head of global product strategy and commercialization at Biogen, where he led global strategy, marketing and commercialization for that company’s neurology business, among other responsibilities.