Mulford & Company

H.K. Mulford Company was a pioneering American pharmaceutical firm established in Philadelphia in the late 19th century. The company gained international recognition for its leadership in the development and commercial production of biological products, notably becoming the first U.S. firm to manufacture diphtheria antitoxin. Throughout the early 1900s, Mulford expanded its portfolio to include vaccines for smallpox, rabies, and influenza, as well as various veterinary products. The company was also known for its rigorous scientific standards and the Mulford Biological Exploration of the Amazon Basin. In 1929, the company was acquired by Sharp & Dohme, which later merged with Merck & Co. in 1953. This acquisition established the foundation for Merck's modern vaccine and biological business.