William S. Merrell Chemical Company

The William S. Merrell Chemical Company was a foundational American pharmaceutical firm established in 1828 in Cincinnati, Ohio. As one of the oldest drug manufacturers in the United States, it played a significant role in the development of the domestic chemical and medicinal industry. The company is notably associated with the introduction of several major products, including the antihistamine Seldane and the fertility drug Clomid, as well as the controversial morning sickness medication Bendectin. It gained significant historical attention for its attempt to market thalidomide in the U.S., which was ultimately blocked by the FDA. Following its acquisition by Vick Chemical Company in 1938 and a subsequent merger with Dow Chemical in 1980, the entity evolved through various iterations including Marion Merrell Dow. Today, its corporate legacy resides within the global pharmaceutical company Sanofi.