One of the largest research-based pharmaceutical companies in the world, based in New Jersey, United States. 1668 - the Merck family apothecary opens in Darmstadt, Germany; 1891 - George Merck emigrates to United States to set up business that becomes Merck & Co., Inc.; G.W. Merck oversaw America's 'germ-warfare' research at Fort Detrick; There is no direct connection to the German company Merck KGaA.