Schering Plough Research Institute

Schering-Plough Research Institute (SPRI) was the dedicated research and development division of Schering-Plough Corporation, a major global pharmaceutical company. SPRI was instrumental in developing several landmark therapies, including the blockbuster cholesterol absorption inhibitor Zetia (ezetimibe) and the long-acting antihistamine Claritin (loratadine). The institute significantly expanded its biologics capabilities through the acquisition of Organon BioSciences, which brought the early-stage PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab (later known as Keytruda) into its pipeline. Following the $41.1 billion merger with Merck & Co. in 2009, SPRI's operations and pipeline were integrated into Merck Research Laboratories. The institute was also recognized for its pioneering work in interferon-based treatments for viral hepatitis and oncology.