Read the Conversation
Meeting highlights:
- Impact and Vision: Ramon emphasizes his goal of making a lasting impact at Merck Italy by aligning the team with a shared vision and immersing himself in the local culture.
- Unique Footprint in Italy: Merck Italy is significant within the global organization, with over 1,200 employees across five sites covering the entire pharmaceutical value chain, from research to production and commercialization.
- Balanced Healthcare Portfolio: Merck Italy has a well-rounded portfolio, focusing on high-need areas like oncology, neurology, and fertility, with a strong commitment to innovation and social impact, particularly in fertility treatments.
- Technology and AI: Merck is leveraging technology and AI to enhance operations, from improving patient adherence to exploring new therapies. AI is seen as a game-changer in research and development.
- Culture of Innovation: Ramon is driving a mindset of continuous improvement, challenging the team to strive for excellence and embrace new technologies to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.
EF: As the newly appointed general manager of Merck Italy this year, what mission have you set for yourself, and what do you aim to achieve?
RP: From my very first day at any job, my personal objective has been to make an impact. When I eventually leave Merck, I hope to feel I've made a meaningful contribution to the organization's long-term success. To impact a team, a group of people, and an organization, it's essential to learn from them, provide guidance, and inspire them with a shared vision. It's possible to make a real impact by uniting everyone under a common vision. Since moving to Italy, I have fully immersed myself in the Italian way of life to truly integrate and make a meaningful impact.
EF: Merck has a strong presence in Italy, including commercial operations, research centers, and a production plant. Can you provide more details about your presence and potential areas for growth?
RP: I was surprised by the extent of Merck's presence in Italy despite being with the company for almost nine years. It is much more than just a commercial organization. Merck employs over 1200 people in Italy, and what sets it apart in the Italian pharmaceutical industry is that it covers the entire healthcare sector value chain across the country. This includes a production plant in Bari in the south, which is crucial for Merck's international production network, as well as our headquarters in Rome, two research centers, one in Guidonia, near Rome, and the other in Colleretto Giacosa, near Turin. and Life Sciences offices in Milan, Lombardy. Merck's presence in Italy extends beyond healthcare to encompass commercial production, research and development, life sciences, and electronics.
We cover the entire value chain, from research to clinical production and commercialization. Regarding revenue size, Merck ranks as the ninth multinational company in Italy (the seventh amongst German multinational industries with a presence in the country). Merck Italy is a significant production partner and brings value to Italy through spillover effects and economic contribution.
EF: How is Merck’s portfolio evolving in Italy, specifically in oncology, neurology, immunology, and other therapeutic areas? What new molecules are you bringing to market?
RP: Merck has a well-balanced portfolio that has been built for more than 350 years. As an almost fully family-owned business, we prioritize balance in our operations and focus on addressing high medical needs such as cancer, MS, cardiovascular diseases, and growth disorders. One of our significant focus areas is MS, where we have a strong presence. While my background is mostly in oncology, I am impressed by Merck’s contributions to the MS space, which has seen significant advances in the last twenty-five years due to Merck’s research and commitment.
We are dedicated to making contributions in areas that we believe need attention. Since our entry into MS therapeutic area, we have developed two molecules, one injectable and one oral treatment, to meet the needs of MS patients in Italy and beyond. In oncology, we have had a strong presence for over twenty years. Our three assets target five types of tumors, addressing prevalent cancers such as colorectal cancer, which is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. We also focus on niche tumors to address clear medical needs for patients. Additionally, we are committed to new launches, advancing our pipeline, and, of course, those areas where we have a long-standing and established presence. In particular, let me say a word about Fertility: an area in which we have been pioneers. It is important to recognize the significance of fertility as a social need, especially given the current birth rate in Europe and other Western countries.
Seventy years ago in Rome, Merck established itself as a fertility leader; today, we continue to innovate and lead the way. Over five million babies have been born thanks to Merck drugs, with around 4500 of those births occurring in Italy this year directly as a result of our treatments. We offer recombinant versions of the three natural hormones needed to treat infertility, as well as a complete portfolio of fertility treatments at every stage of the reproductive cycle. We also conduct awareness campaigns for early detection of potential infertility problems and have recently introduced a fertility benefit to support our colleagues (and their respective partners) undergoing fertility treatments. We believe that all pharmaceutical, and why not all Italian companies, should follow our lead, as infertility is a significant social challenge in Europe and other Western countries. Such initiatives bring great value to society.
EF: How are you using technology to improve sustainability in Italy? What's your take on the current technology landscape?
RP: Technology and innovation have played a significant role at Merck for many years. We have developed devices to simplify drug administration and improve patient adherence to therapies, maximizing patient effectiveness and benefits. Technology also enables early detection of diseases such as cancer through methods like liquid biopsies. Given the prevalence of colorectal cancer, Merck has spearheaded innovations in liquid biopsies, contributing valuable technology to the healthcare system and society. By introducing more efficient therapies for disease detection, we aim to enhance the sustainability of the healthcare system. AI can potentially impact and revolutionize our operations as a pharmaceutical company.
It can improve the efficacy of our daily work by providing tools to better understand and address customer needs, educate and communicate with patients, and comprehend disease progression. We are currently integrating AI tools into our daily operations and anticipate significant benefits from incorporating AI into our research and development efforts. Before the widespread interest in AI, we entered into an agreement with a global Big Data & AI company. More recently, as a key priority at Merck, we have formed partnerships with third parties (Benevolent AI and Exscientia) to explore potential target therapies, aligning with our mission to deliver value and new medicines to patients faster and more efficiently. We are at the early stages of this transformative process.
EF: Merck Italy is involved in various social initiatives, such as fertility and cancer awareness, and they even have an MS podcast. Can you explain how these initiatives contribute to improving societal well-being?
RP: Our mission is to provide solutions to diseases with significant medical unmet needs, which includes raising awareness. We conduct awareness campaigns in various areas, such as cancer, MS, cardiology, and thyroid disorders. We also organize and support several campaigns to improve prevention and early diagnosis (e.g., for Head & Neck Awareness Week) because detecting the disease early allows quicker patient care and, in many cases, better outcomes. In addition to providing medications and solutions to reduce the population's disease burden, we collaborate with medical and patient associations and use classic and digital media to run campaigns.
EF: You lead a workforce focused on innovation, always seeking new paths in science, work, and operational models. How do you effectively lead such a large team, instilling an innovation mindset and constantly pushing for progress?
RP: I always encourage people to aim higher; our duty is to dream and strive for more. While we work for the greater good, our pursuit of excellence can sometimes stand in the way, as working for the good can sometimes be excellence's worst enemy. My goal is to cultivate a culture of excellence within the organization. We have a strong and successful organization built on results, but we should not settle for what we currently consider good; we should always aim to surpass it and think creatively. We need to embrace new ideas and different ways of thinking. 23% of our colleagues at Merck Italy are over 55 years old, and 22% have worked with Merck for over twenty-five years. This demonstrates their incredible loyalty. However, we need to embrace change and seek new challenges.
Integrating new generations into the company is crucial for our ongoing evolution. Over the past two years, we have focused on engaging our stakeholders through social media and other channels, utilizing AI to improve efficiency. Our goal is to help healthcare professionals to take the best informed decisions and make the best choices for their patients. Embracing new technologies is essential for our transformation, as resisting change could lead us to fall behind in the market. We must take charge of our own evolution and lead the transformation.
EF: Next year, you'll be celebrating ten years at Merck. What key moments come to mind? What are you most proud of when you look back on your journey with the company?
RP: When I was interviewed for a position at Merck, I was highly impressed by the people I met. I decided to change jobs not because of the project but because of the people. I thoroughly enjoyed working in Spain with my team, and my greatest satisfaction has always been watching my team grow and thrive. This has motivated me to continue working in this field. Leading a global brand and celebrating its 18th anniversary, along with providing a million patients with our drug treatments as part of the company's long-term strategy, has been a source of pride for me. I feel that I am contributing to the well-being of patients worldwide. Additionally, traveling to and collaborating with countries like China, India, and Japan has enriched me greatly, allowing me to make good friends from diverse cultures. Being offered the opportunity to become GM of Merck Italy brought me intense personal satisfaction. I have quickly integrated into the team and am working to impact the organization positively. I am delighted to be here as a leader and support for the organization's evolution.
