Merck & Co., Inc. Named Keynote Sponsor for Diversity Alliance for Science’s Inaugural Conference

Morristown, NJ, March 28, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Diversity Alliance for Science, Inc. (DA4S) (www.diversityallianceforscience.com) has announced that Merck & Co., Inc. will serve as the keynote sponsor for its inaugural networking conference and expo scheduled for May 19-20 at the Westin Governors in Morristown, N.J. The two-day event will focus on developing and integrating more minority, women, veteran and disabled-owned businesses into the life sciences space. The national event is expected to draw top-level pharmaceutical executives, high-ranking government officials and CEOs of diverse scientific and clinical enterprises.

Merck & Co, Inc. is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Established in 1891 and headquartered in Whitehouse Station, N.J., the company discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products aimed at improving human and animal health. Merck has 59,800-plus employees worldwide and products sold in more than 140 countries. The company boasts a Manufacturing Division, which employs more than 12,000 people at locations in 25 countries, as well as The Merck Research Laboratories, which employs approximately 9,500 people at sites in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. Through The Merck Foundation, founded in 1957, the company has distributed more than $480 million to educational and nonprofit organizations worldwide.

"Merck's success has been built from the diversity of its employees and from a diverse customer base,” said Sally Macaluso, senior director of global procurement for Merck & Co., Inc. “One of Merck's key corporate objectives is to grow supplier diversity spend to support the diverse communities in which we do business. As such, Merck is a proud sponsor of Diversity Alliance For Science's ‘Diversity Creates Scientific Innovation Conference and Expo.’”

About Diversity Alliance for Science, Inc. (DA4S):
Diversity Alliance for Science, Inc. (DA4S) is a nonprofit organization aimed to provide pharmaceutical/bio-tech companies, academic medical centers and governmental agencies the ability to identify, develop, mentor and partner with woman, minority, veteran and disabled-owned enterprises (both large and small) in the life sciences industry. For more information, please visit www.diversityallianceforscience.com.

Patty Briguglio
MMI Associates, Inc.
(919) 233-6600
patty@mmimarketing.com
PR Firms Raleigh, NC

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