Head of Merck Vaccines Unit Will Retire

Margaret G. "Margie" McGlynn, president of Merck Vaccines & Infectious Diseases, announced her retirement yesterday, effective Nov. 1.

Company spokeswoman Amy Rose said McGlynn, a pharmacist who started with Merck in 1981 as a summer intern, "indicated that she has many personal and professional aspirations that she would like to pursue."

McGlynn is 49.

Merck will merge with Schering-Plough in the fourth quarter.

McGlynn took her current position in 2005. She managed the launch of four vaccines, including Gardasil, which protects against the virus that can cause cervical cancer, and Zostavax for shingles, as well as Isentress, an HIV/AIDS drug.

Rose said that vaccine revenue quadrupled during McGlynn's tenure, from $1.1 billion in 2005 to $4.15 billion last year.

But sales were higher in 2007 at $4.3 billion, and revenue from Gardasil has continued its slump this year.