Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced the appointment of Deborah H. Telman as General Counsel for Organon & Co., its intended spinoff of its women’s health, legacy brands and biosimilars businesses.
In her new role, Deb will act as senior legal advisor to the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and senior management and will be responsible for the company’s worldwide legal affairs, compliance and global environmental health & safety. She will join Organon from Sorrento Therapeutics where she served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary leading the legal, compliance, human resource and quality functions. Deb has spent more than 20 years in senior executive roles at several global companies including Abbott, Johnson Controls and Boeing. She also brings deep experience in mergers and acquisitions, including a major pharmaceutical spinoff with Abbott at the time of its spin from AbbVie.
“Deb’s proven leadership, industry knowledge and expertise will serve Organon employees, customers and shareholders well,” said Kenneth C. Frazier, chairman and chief executive officer, Merck. “Her counsel will help set the new company on a path to positively impact the lives of patients and improve public health.”
“I am very pleased and excited to have Deb join us and direct our legal, compliance and health and safety strategies at Organon,” said Kevin Ali, appointed chief executive officer of Organon. “Her experience and expertise will be fundamental in advancing Organon & Co.’s vision to be the world’s leading women’s health company.”
The appointment of the General Counsel marks another important milestone as Merck prepares Organon & Co. to operate independently.
