Biography
Since becoming Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck in May 2021, Belén Garijo has led a business transformation to strengthen the company's position as a global science and technology leader.
She joined Merck's Healthcare business sector in 2011 and became its President and CEO in 2015. During her tenure, she led the turnaround of the Merck Healthcare business and its strategic shift to become a global player in oncology and immunology by repositioning the portfolio, reorganizing R&D, and realigning the commercial model. She also forged major global alliances that further contributed to the Healthcare portfolio's value and fostered the business's globalization to focus more on the U.S., Japan, and other high-growth markets.
Before joining Merck, she served as the Senior Vice President of Global Operations Europe at Sanofi-Aventis, leading the integration of Genzyme after its acquisition. She previously held several local and global executive positions in R&D and commercial at various companies at the forefront of the healthcare sector.
Belén Garijo was born on July 31, 1960, in Almansa, Spain. She is a medical doctor specializing in clinical pharmacology and began her career as a practicing physician at La Paz Hospital, Madrid.
External positions:
- Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A., (publicly listed company), External Board Director
- EU-Japan Business Round Table, EU-side Chair
- German Chemical Industry Association (VCI), Member of the Executive Committee
- European Round Table for Industry, Member • The Business Council, Active Member
- Board member of Lóreal, April 2014 to 2024