Darmstadt – Merck, the global pharmaceuticals and chemicals company, today announced the promotion of three distinguished internal managers to head the life-science-tools and consumer health divisions as well as its allergy business unit respectively as the company enters the growth phase of its transformation program “Fit for 2018.”

Udit Batra, who over the past two years has managed the turnaround at Consumer Health, will become President and Chief Executive Officer of Merck Millipore, succeeding Robert Yates. Yates, following the successful conclusion to fully integrate Merck and Millipore into one leading life sciences division, has decided to leave the organization for a new professional opportunity outside of Merck. Uta Kemmerich-Keil, currently Chief Executive Officer of Allergopharma and head of the global allergy business unit, will succeed Batra in his role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Consumer Health. With a long track record in the Group’s Finance and M&A functions, Kemmerich-Keil took over the helm of the allergy business unit at the end of 2012, restructured the business and gave it a new strategic direction. She will be replaced at Allergopharma by Marco Linari, who last year was appointed commercial lead for the implementation of the Operating Model within Merck Millipore and Performance Materials. All changes will take effect May 15.

Separately, Merck Serono President and Chief Executive Officer Belén Garijo will take charge of the Research & Development organization ad interim. Annalisa Jenkins will be leaving Merck Serono at the end of March. The search for a permanent leader of the R&D organization is currently underway.

“Over the past two years, our pharma and life science tools divisions have made tremendous progress in building strong and efficient platforms for future growth,” said Karl-Ludwig Kley, Chairman of the Executive Board. “Robert Yates and Annalisa Jenkins both played key roles in driving the change process in their respective areas of responsibility and I want to thank them personally for their contributions to Merck. As we are now moving into the growth phase of ‘Fit for 2018,’ we are ensuring continuity and a clear focus on our customers with distinguished internal top executives who will relentlessly drive the growth initiatives that we’ve started. We are particularly proud to be able to assign roles with increasing responsibility to high-caliber internal leaders of the next generation to ensure we will deliver upon our objectives over the long term.’’

With all of Merck’s divisions in strong financial positions, the appointment of internal candidates will allow for smooth transitions with minimal disruptions and the timely migration to the new leaders.

At Merck Millipore, which is a leading supplier to the life science industry with more than 60,000 products, the focus has been on improving the division’s profitability by globalizing its product portfolio and reducing organizational complexity. The Billerica (US)-based division earlier this month reported a 4.6 percent increase in EBITDA pre one-time items to € 642.8 million for 2013, widening the sales margin to 24.5 percent.

Merck Millipore’s growth focus will be on driving market share growth in North America, Asia and Latin America as well as increase sales generated by new products. With a track record working for leading pharmaceutical companies, Udit Batra will bring a unique perspective into the needs and key drivers of Merck Millipore’s customers.