Menarini and MSD extend global partnership to the Asia-Pacific region

Singapore-based Menarini Asia-Pacific Holdings, a unit of Italy’s largest drugmaker Menarini, and MSD (the ex-North America trading name for Merck & Co [NYSE: MRK]) have embarked on a multi-year partnership for Menarini Asia-Pacific to assume the sales, marketing and distribution of a number of MSD's pharmaceutical brands in Asia-Pacific since January 2016.

The partnership involves six countries, namely Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, Brunei and Macao with annual sales in excess of $70 million that could potentially extend to other key Asia-Pacific markets. The partnership covers a portfolio of highly recognized brands among physicians and patients, ranging from cardiology, respiratory and women's health to central nervous system and dermatology. Prior to this agreement, Menarini and MSD had already developed similar partnerships in several other markets in Europe.

"Menarini is excited about the extended partnership to the Asia-Pacific Region that will serve to further strengthen our global collaboration with MSD. MSD is a partner that shares the same core values of upholding a culture of integrity and maintaining the highest ethical standards in the way we do business. The MSD portfolio both complements our existing brands and expands our therapeutic categories and, thanks also to our extensive presence and capabilities in the Region, I am confident that that it will allow us to speed up our growth, said Dr Luca Lastrucci, chief executive of Menarini Asia-Pacific.