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Merck is one of the oldest, still operating
chemical and pharmaceutical companies in the
world. Its roots go back to the year 1668,
when F.J. Merck purchased the Engel-Apotheke in
Darmstadt. In 1827, E. Merck started with
the large-scale production of alkaloids and later
with plant extracts and many other chemicals. The
products were manufactured with a standardized
quality. The sales increased very fast, products
were exported to countries all over the world and
subsidiaries were formed in strategic locations.
In 1894, E. Merck introduced one of the
first thyroid preparations in the world . Since
then, E. Merck has played a substantial role in
thyroid research and development:
1894
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Thyroidinum
siccatum
Introduction of desiccated sheep thyroid
gland (powder, later tablets) in Germany.
Available as Thyroidin Merck until 1983 |
1896
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Thyroidin Merck (USA)
Offered in the price list published in
Merck's 1896 Index (New York) |
1901
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Antithyroidin Merck
Produced from the serum of thyrectomized
rams (Moebius) |
1911
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Glandula Thyroideae siccate
"Merck" Tabletten
Dessiccated thyroid gland available as
tablets |
1912
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Research on a standardized
thyroid extract product
(Annual report Scientific Laboratory
1912) |
1921
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Thyreoidinum
depurat. Notkin Tabletten
Thyroid protein extract |
1925
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Evaluation of Kendall's Thyroxine
"Obviously thyroxine is not the only
active thyroid product" |
1925
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Thyroidea Opton
Introduction of protein-free degradation
product of the thyroid gland |
1928
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Novothyral
Introduction of water soluble
standardized thyroid extract (Axolotl) |
1941
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Thyroidin Merck
Standardized also with Axolotl method |
1948
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Methicil
Brand of Methylthiouracil available from
Merck in Germany |
1965
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Kalium jodatum Compretten (100
mg KI)
Indicated for prevention of radioactive
iodine incorporporation in nuclear
accidents |
1968
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Novothyral
Newly introduced as a T3/T4 combination
in Germany |
1973
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Euthyrox
Mono T4 tablets introduced in Germany,
later in many other countries |
1975
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Jodid Merck
KI 100 mcg tablets (later 200 and 500
mcg) introduced in Germany |
1985
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Jodthyrox
T4/Iodide combination introduced in
Germany for iodine deficiency goiter |
1990
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Thyrozol
Thiamazol (Methimazol) introduced in
Germany |
1993
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Globalization of Merck KGaA's
Thyroid business
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The thyroid products of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
Germany, are marketed all over the world, from
France to Vietnam, from Russia to Chile. The
products range from T4, T4/T3 combinations,
iodine, T4/iodine combinations and Methimazole,
as well as thyroid diagnostics, such as a TRH
test, ThyroChek or Rapid Urinary Iodine Test.
Merck KGaA conducts thyroid research and supports
thyroid researchers worldwide:
- Exploring new concepts of pharmacokinetic
studies.
- Developing a rapid urinary iodine test
for developing countries.
- Organizing large epidemiological
investigations.
- Conducting clinical trials on their own
thyroid products.
- Supporting clinical trials of third
parties in the thyroid field.
- Granting thyroid research monies.
- Sponsoring scientific meetings and
associations.
Merck KGaA is also deeply involved in the
development of patient information programs and
physician postgraduate services.
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