John J. Horan

John J. Horan (July 9, 1920 — January 22, 2011) was an American businessman. He was Chairman and CEO of Merck & Co. from 1976 to 1985.

Early life and education Horan was born on July 9, 1920, on Staten Island. He attended Manhattan College on a scholarship, graduating in 1940. He then served in the United States Navy during World War II in the North Africa and Italy theaters and worked in communications operation in Plymouth, England on the staff of Admiral John E. Wilkes. It was during his shift that General Dwight D. Eisenhower sent word to commence the D-Day operations and he was one of the first officers to deliver Eisenhower's orders to launch the amphibious landing.

Career He joined Merck in 1952 as part of its legal department and became spokesperson of its North Wales, Pennsylvania laboratory in 1957.

From 1976 to 1985, Horan served as CEO and Chairman of Merck. It was under his leadership that Merck became the world’s largest drug maker and tripled the company’s research and development spending – more than any other pharmaceutical firm at that time. Under Horan, Merck introduced the hepatitis B vaccine, Ivermectin, as well as new antibiotics and drugs to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.

After retiring from Merck, he continues to serve as a director of the company and vice chairman until 1993. Horan received an honorary degree from Manhattan College in 1978.

Death Horan died at age 90 on January 22, 2011, in Princeton, New Jersey.