Weizmann Award given to Merck CEO

The prestigious Weizmann Award in the Sciences and Humanities has been awarded to Karl-Ludwig Kley, the CEO of leading German science and technology company Merck.

“It is particularly important to us to acknowledge and honor your support and friendship of Israel and of the Weizmann Institute of Science,” Daniel Zajfman, President of the Weizmann Institute, said on Monday evening when conferring the Weizmann Award in the Sciences and Humanities to Kley. “Throughout your career, you have expressed support and encouragement for Israel science and scientists; have been an exceptional friend to the Weizmann Institute; and have spearheaded and advanced the technology transfer relationship between the Institute and Merck with a goal of improving the lives of many people through better medical therapies.”

“Over the past 10 years, my affection, empathy and friendship have grown with Israel and with the Weizmann Institute. I know that I am not only receiving an award from partners, but from friends,” Kley said in his speech after haven been awarded. “This award will also contribute to further deepening the institutional relationship between the Weizmann Institute and Merck. During the past years we have created a very special bond between Merck and the Weizmann Institute. It will live on.”

Since 1966 the Weizmann Award in the Sciences and Humanities has been granted to a small, distinguished group of world leaders and scientists whom the Weizmann Institute has wished to honour, and to philanthropists and leaders, whom the Institute has wished to thank. Awardees include Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and Jacques Chirac, former President of France. A complete list of awardees is accessible here.

Merck and Weizmann first joined forces in 1978. Since then, the collaboration has yielded innovations including intellectual roots of the company’s top-selling multiple sclerosis drug Rebif® as well as of Merck’s cancer treatment Erbitux®.

About Merck
Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2014, Merck generated sales of € 11.3 billion in 66 countries.
Founded in 1668, Merck is the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.

Published: February 17, 2016