Merck chief executive receives award from Weizmann Institute

Merck's chief executive officer and executive board chairman Karl-Ludwig Kley has been presented with an award by the Weizmann Institute in Israel.

Mr Kley received the Weizmann Award in the Sciences and Humanities thanks to his history of supporting Israel's scientific community, particularly through the longstanding collaboration between Merck and the Weizmann Institute.

The award is presented to world leaders, scientists and philanthropists, with past winners of this accolade including former prime minister Margaret Thatcher and former French president Jacques Chirac. 

Mr Kley said: "During the past years we have created a very special bond between Merck and the Weizmann Institute. It will live on."

Merck and Weizmann first allied in 1978, with their collaboration having led to the development of the top-selling multiple sclerosis drug Rebif and the cancer therapy Erbitux.

The organisations announced a further expansion of their partnership earlier this month with a new project focusing on the fields of immuno-oncology and immunology.