Who Owns Gardasil?
Gardasil is owned by Merck & Co., a publicly traded American multinational pharmaceutical company. Gardasil is Merck's HPV vaccine. Merck is headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, USA and trades on NYSE (MRK).
Parent Company
Merck & Co.
Founded
2006
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Rahway, New Jersey, USA
Who Owns Gardasil?
- Parent Company: Merck & Co.
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: MRK
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Gardasil | Merck & Co. | Wholly owned |
History of Gardasil
- Founded: 2006
- Founders: Merck & Co. (internal development)
Gardasil was developed by Merck & Co. through extensive research into human papillomavirus vaccines for preventing cervical cancer. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for cancer prevention solutions while establishing a distinctive approach that would define the vaccine category for generations. The vaccine was approved by the FDA in 2006 as a vaccine for preventing cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases. Gardasil represented a breakthrough in cancer prevention, offering patients protection against HPV infection. This strategic positioning demonstrated Gardasil's exceptional ability to create differentiated vaccine solutions while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades.
The development of Gardasil involved years of research into HPV serotypes and recombinant vaccine technology. This period of excellence demonstrated Gardasil's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards across multiple vaccine segments. Merck conducted extensive clinical trials demonstrating the vaccine's efficacy in preventing HPV infection and cervical cancer. Gardasil quickly became one of the most widely used HPV vaccines globally. This strategic diversification demonstrated Gardasil's exceptional ability to serve multiple patient segments while maintaining its core brand identity and market leadership in the healthcare pharmaceuticals industry.
Following its initial approval, Gardasil was approved for additional indications including prevention of other HPV-related cancers and diseases. This continued evolution demonstrated Gardasil's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing vaccine requirements and medical advancements. The vaccine's expanded label allowed it to serve a broader population with various age groups and risk factors. Gardasil became one of Merck's most successful vaccine products. This continued excellence demonstrates Gardasil's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing vaccine dynamics and regulatory requirements.
In recent decades, Gardasil has continued to maintain its position as a leading HPV vaccine. This continued evolution demonstrated Gardasil's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing vaccine requirements and technological advancements. The vaccine has been approved in numerous countries worldwide and has become a standard immunization for HPV cancer prevention. Gardasil remains one of the leading HPV vaccines in the market. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of cancer prevention and consumer-focused healthcare solutions.
About Merck & Co.
What does Merck & Co. own?
Merck & Co. owns a portfolio of pharmaceutical products, vaccines, and animal health medicines. Its most significant asset is Keytruda, the world's best-selling prescription medicine approved for more than 40 cancer indications. Other major products include Gardasil (HPV vaccine), Winrevair (pulmonary arterial hypertension), Januvia (diabetes), and Bridion (anesthesia reversal). The Animal Health segment markets veterinary medicines under the Merck Animal Health brand.
Is Merck & Co. publicly traded?
Yes, Merck & Co., Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol MRK. The company has no controlling shareholder, with ownership distributed among institutional investors including Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street.
What is Merck's annual revenue?
In FY2024, Merck reported worldwide sales of $64.2 billion, a 7% increase from FY2023. The Pharmaceutical segment generated approximately $57.4 billion and the Animal Health segment approximately $5.8 billion. Keytruda alone accounted for approximately $29.5 billion in FY2024 sales.
Who is Merck's CEO?
Robert M. Davis has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Merck & Co. since 2021, succeeding Kenneth Frazier. Davis has led the company's strategy of building a post-Keytruda pipeline through acquisitions and internal research investment.
Is Merck & Co. the same as Merck KGaA?
No. Merck & Co. (NYSE: MRK) and Merck KGaA (a German company) are entirely separate companies with no ownership relationship. The separation dates to 1917, when the U.S. government seized German-owned assets in America during World War I. Merck & Co. uses the MSD name outside the United States and Canada to avoid confusion with the German Merck entity.
What is Keytruda and why is it important to Merck?
Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is a PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor that works by blocking a protein that prevents the immune system from attacking cancer cells. First approved in 2014 for melanoma, it has since been approved for more than 40 cancer indications. In FY2024, Keytruda generated approximately $29.5 billion in global sales, making it the world's best-selling prescription medicine and accounting for roughly 46% of Merck's total worldwide sales.
- Founded: 1668
- Headquarters: Rahway, New Jersey, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: MRK
Where Is Gardasil Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Rahway, New Jersey, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Belgium, Germany, Ireland
Brands Owned by Merck & Co.
- Bridion - Prescription medication for reversing neuromuscular blockade during anesthesia, ...
- Cozaar - Prescription blood pressure medication for treating hypertension and kidney dise...
- Emend - Prescription antiemetic medication for preventing nausea and vomiting caused by ...
- Isentress - Prescription antiretroviral medication for treating HIV infection by inhibiting ...
- Januvia - Prescription diabetes medication for treating type 2 diabetes by increasing insu...
- Keytruda - Prescription immunotherapy medication for treating various cancers by activating...
- Pepcid - Over-the-counter and prescription medication for treating heartburn and acid ref...
- Propecia - Prescription medication for treating male pattern baldness by inhibiting hair lo...
- Singulair - Prescription medication for treating asthma and allergies by reducing inflammati...
- Vaseretic - Prescription combination medication for treating high blood pressure, manufactur...
Gardasil Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Effective HPV vaccine for cancer prevention
- +Proven efficacy in preventing cervical and other HPV-related cancers
- +Available for multiple age groups and populations
- +Backed by extensive clinical research and safety data
- +Supported by Merck's research capabilities and vaccine expertise
- +Available globally with established distribution networks
- +Improved cancer prevention outcomes for vaccinated populations
Considerations
- -Potential side effects including injection site reactions
- -Requires multiple doses for complete protection
- -Not suitable for patients with certain allergies
- -Requires administration by healthcare professionals
- -Competition from other HPV vaccines
- -Potential for adverse reactions in some patients
- -Vaccine effectiveness varies by HPV serotype coverage
Frequently Asked Questions About Gardasil
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Gardasil
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novartis | Switzerland | 2009 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Takeda | Japan | 2018 | Mass Market | Asia Pacific | All Genders | |
| Pfizer | USA | 1998 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Roche | Switzerland | 1995 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Novartis | Switzerland | 2015 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Cvs Health | USA | 1963 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors

Afinitor
Owned by Novartis
Prescription oncology medication for treating various cancers including renal cell carcinoma and breast cancer, manufactured and marketed by Novartis.

Alofisel
Owned by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company
Prescription cell therapy for treating complex perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease, manufactured and marketed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company.

Celebrex
Owned by Pfizer
Prescription anti-inflammatory medication for treating arthritis pain and inflammation, manufactured and marketed by Pfizer.

CellCept
Owned by Roche
Prescription immunosuppressant medication for preventing organ rejection in transplant recipients, manufactured and marketed by Roche.

Cosentyx
Owned by Novartis
Prescription biologic medication for treating autoimmune diseases including psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and other inflammatory conditions.

CVS Pharmacy
Owned by CVS Health
American pharmacy retail chain and one of the largest pharmacy networks in the United States, owned by CVS Health.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Gardasil competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Merck & Co. Stock Information
Jobs at Merck & Co.
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