BRAVECTO® Wins “Best in Show” in New TV Ad with Actor John Michael Higgins

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March 29, 2021

Creative Commercial Educates Pet Parents about Long-Lasting Parasite Protection

MADISON, N.J., March 29, 2021 – Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the United States and Canada, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (NYSE:MRK), today launched a new advertising campaign for BRAVECTO^®(fluralaner) flea and tick treatment to raise awareness and help pet parents understand the importance of long-lasting parasite protection. The new campaign, which is titled “Bravo, BRAVECTO^®” and features actor John Michael Higgins (best known for his roles in films like Best in Show and Pitch Perfect), also aims to spark conversations between pet parents and veterinarians about the unique benefits of BRAVECTO for the protection of fleas and ticks.

“I have played a variety of roles throughout my career, but the truth is that one of my favorite roles in life is being a pet parent to my dog, Jimmy. I love spending time with him and want to make sure he is as healthy as possible, which involves protecting him from pesky parasites,” said Higgins, who currently hosts the game show America Says and appears in the Saved by the Bell reboot. “That’s why I’m partnering with Merck Animal Health on this campaign. I’m a fan of BRAVECTO for my own dog and want other pet parents to realize it’s ‘best in show’ for long-lasting flea and tick protection.”

“It’s no surprise that pet parents want the best for their furry friends; however, it’s important to understand the differences between various parasite preventives to make sure pets remain healthy and protected for life. With the support of actor and dog parent, John Michael Higgins, we developed the new campaign to help educate pet owners about flea and tick treatment in a memorable way,” said Christine Royal, DVM, Associate Vice President, U.S. Companion Animal and Equine at Merck Animal Health. “We hope our message not only captures the attention of pet owners, but that it also inspires them to talk to their veterinarians about BRAVECTO.”

BRAVECTO is the number one veterinarian-recommended, long-lasting chew for fleas and ticks. One BRAVECTO Chew provides 12 weeks of powerful flea and tick protection, which means extended duration and fewer chances to forget a treatment. In addition to the long-lasting protection and convenience for pet owners, BRAVECTO Chews are fast-acting, killing parasites within just two hours of use. “With pet adoptions on the rise, understanding the benefits of parasite protection is critical to keep pets healthy for life,” added Dr. Royal.

About Merck Animal Health

For 130 years, Merck, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA, is the global animal health business unit of Merck. Through its commitment to The Science of Healthier Animals®, Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of digitally connected identification, traceability and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. Merck Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.merck-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter at @MerckAH.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA

This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of the global outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19); the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).