Merck’s chief scientist continues to revamp his research labs by hiring outsiders for key positions.

The latest is Darryle Schoepp, a 20-year veteran at Eli Lilly, who will head the drugmaker’s neuroscience effort.
He’ll have overall responsibility for drug discovery and development for such ailments as Alzheimer’s, pain and sleep disorders, and will be based in Upper Gwynedd, PA.

This is only the latest example of how Kim is trying to do away with the ‘not invented here’ syndrome that stymied Merck. There have been several such hires. Last year, for example, he tapped Alan Ezekowitz from Massachusetts General Hopsital to run immunology, respiratory and endocrine drug discovery and development. And Luciano Rossetti was brought in after spending 15 years at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University to oversee diabetes and obesity research.

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[tags]Darryle Schoepp, Merck, Peter Kim[/tags]