Marion Merrell Dow

Marion Merrell Dow was a prominent American pharmaceutical company formed in 1989 through the merger of Marion Laboratories and Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, the company became a leader in the cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal therapeutic areas. Its portfolio featured blockbuster drugs such as the calcium channel blocker Cardizem and the pioneering non-sedating antihistamine Seldane. The company was also known for its innovative transdermal delivery systems, notably the Nicoderm smoking cessation patch. In 1995, Marion Merrell Dow was acquired by the German chemical giant Hoechst AG for approximately $7.1 billion. This acquisition eventually led to the formation of Hoechst Marion Roussel, which through subsequent mergers became part of the global pharmaceutical leader Sanofi.