Merck & Company, Inc.

Merck & Co., Inc. is a global pharmaceutical company whose core business of developing and manufacturing human and animal health products relies on animal testing as part of its research, development, and regulatory compliance processes. The company conducts and funds animal studies across its drug pipeline, from initial research to safety assessments required for market approval.

This reliance is evidenced by direct operational activity. In 2022, PETA publicized a USDA citation against Merck for animal welfare violations, alleging that 52 monkeys at a company facility were not fed for a full day. The company has also been the subject of shareholder resolutions, filed as early as 2011, calling for greater transparency in its animal research practices. Historical product development further demonstrates this dependency; for instance, the company’s own safety assessments for cosmetic ingredients have cited acute toxicity and irritation studies conducted on animals.