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Rahway-headquartered Merck announced Feb. 23 it is restructuring its Human Health division. The move aims to strengthen commercial execution and support a growing, diversified pipeline.

The company will reorganize the business into two units: one for Oncology business as well as a Specialty, Pharma & Infectious Diseases business unit.

Merck said the plan will help sustain its leadership in oncology while sharpening focus on upcoming launches across an increasingly broad portfolio.

As part of the changes, Merck appointed Jannie Oosthuizen executive vice president and president of oncology and MSD international. He most recently served as senior vice president and president, Merck Human Health U.S. Meanwhile, Brian Foard will join the company March 2 as executive vice president and president of specialty, pharma & infectious diseases. He most recently served as executive vice president and head of the specialty care business unit at Sanofi.

Both will report to CEO Robert Davis and serve on Merck’s executive team.

Additionally, Merck appointed Chirfi Guindo executive vice president of strategic access, policy & communications. Guindo will lead an integrated function aimed at strengthening alignment between strategy and execution across access, policy and communications. He previously served as chief marketing officer and remains on the executive team.

“Merck is pleased to welcome Brian Foard, an experienced executive with a proven track record of strategic leadership across specialty biopharma and commercial execution,” said Davis. “As we advance our pipeline and drive commercial success across an increasingly diversified portfolio, including a growing pipeline across Specialty, Pharma & Infectious Diseases, we are sharpening our focus on delivering innovative medicines for patients and creating long‑term value for our stakeholders.”

Merck said the new structure positions the company to capitalize on its late-stage pipeline. That trajectory includes about 80 Phase 3 studies and more than 20 potential new growth drivers in the coming years.

Foard said he is honored to join Merck at such an important moment in its journey.

“Merck has a remarkable legacy of scientific leadership and a clear ambition to shape the future of medicine. Its commitment to patients, the strength of its pipeline, and the caliber of its people are truly inspiring,” he said. “I look forward to working with the teams … to advance innovative solutions for patients and help unlock the next phase of growth for the company.”