After a stint as head of a pharmaceutical company in China, Joseph Romanelli is returning to Merck as head of the human health international division.
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After a stint as head of a pharmaceutical company in China, Joseph Romanelli is returning to Merck. On Aug. 1, Romanelli will begin his next phase with the pharma giant as head of the human health international division, which is aimed at bringing the company’s medications to the global market.
In this new role at Merck, Romanelli will have responsibility for the profits and losses of the division. That’s a significant role, considering the company’s human health business has a valuation of about $22 billion. Romanelli will lead a team of more than 14,000 people across 75 markets outside of the United States.
Romanelli most recently served as chief executive officer of JiXing Pharmaceuticals, a China-based biopharmaceutical company. He joined the RTW Investments-backed company last year after serving as the head of Merck’s business operations in China for five years.
JiXing’s primary focus is to develop new therapeutics for unmet medical needs in cardiovascular and ophthalmic diseases in China. Last year, under Romanelli, JiXing struck a licensing deal with Oyster Point Pharma for two nasal sprays that could provide treatment options for dry eye disease in China.
Merck CEO Robert Davis said Romanelli had a “remarkable track record of driving growth” while he was previously with Merck. During his former role, Romanelli oversaw Merck’s business operations in China, where he led the strong growth of the company’s assets. Under his leadership, China became the second-largest market for Merck, the company noted. Davis said Romanelli has a deep understanding of the competitive landscape and is passionate about Merck’s purpose.
“I’m excited to welcome Joe back to Merck, and I am confident that our company and stakeholders will greatly benefit from his leadership, delivery and contributions,” Davis said in a statement.
Romanelli began his career with Merck in 1996. Between his start and his departure in 2021, Romanelli held numerous roles with increasing responsibility, including vice president of investor relations, as well as oversight of operations in Taiwan and Hong Kong, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Romanelli is the latest executive that Merck has hired in this division. Previously, the company named Arpa Garay as head of its human health global marketing division and Jannie Oosthuizen as the head of the human health U.S. division.
The shuffle of roles atop the human health business follows the departure of Frank Clyburn earlier this year. Clyburn left the company in January after 14 years to take on the role of CEO of International Flavors and Fragrances.
