Each year the company funds scholarships, fellowships and other incentives that encourage excellence in advanced scientific education. Clearly, this is a form of self-interest for Merck Frosst and for Canada. The company strongly believes that the national goal of developing world-class Canadian scientists must be linked with efforts to create an environment where such scientists can excel and where they will choose to remain. Such an environment is the Merck Frosst Centre for Therapeutic Research. The Centre employs more than 225 world-class scientists, and houses the country's largest privately funded research library.
Basic research seeks to shed light on the fundamental mechanisms of disease.
Promising compounds are then investigated to observe their effects on these mechanisms. This investigation includes finding the correct dosage and the best means of delivering the drug. And finally, clinical research is conducted to ascertain the drug's safety and efficacy. Employing an additional 100 scientists and support staff, the clinical research department conducts clinical trials at hospitals and universities across the country. The discovery and development process is very long and very expensive.