 plenty more to heroin once their prescriptions ran out. When Oklahoma’s attorney-general brought one of hundreds of state lawsuits against the multiple drug companies involved, he described the situation as the worst man-made public-health crisis in American history.

The opioid crisis has intensified the race among pharmaceutical companies to find a new, safe, targeted painkiller. (In August, pain researchers were excited by the discovery that subcutaneous cells known as Schwann cells play a role in the transmission of pain.) Phil L’Huillier, Merck’s head of business development in Europe and the man who brokered the deal with McNaughton and King’s, told me he’d been actively looking for “pain opportunities” since he joined the company two years ago. L’Huillier is a well-ironed executive with the fluid, even tones of someone who gives frequent PowerPoint presentations. As he led me through Merck’s London offices, we passed a lobby adorned with huge images of smiling African and Indian children whose lives have been transformed by the company’s drugs.

When it comes to pain, Merck’s history is less poster-friendly. In 2004, five years after Vioxx, its new selective anti-inflammatory painkiller, had been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, Merck was forced to withdraw it after studies showed that long-term use was associated with an increased risk of heart disease. (One paper estimated the drug might have caused up to 139,000 heart attacks while it was available.) By 2006, 190 class-action lawsuits had been filed against Merck and the following year the company agreed to a settlement of $4.85bn to cover 27,000 individual cases in America alone.

L’Huillier didn’t want to dwell on the Vioxx scandal when we met. “It’s a long time before my time,” he said. Instead he was keen to emphasise that Merck is committed to “developing really good molecules”. He knows the race is on: drug companies across the world are combing through scientific research to find the next painkiller, the one that won’t spawn a generation of addicts. L’Hui-llier admitted McNaughton’s research wasn’t the only opportunity he was pursuing: “You have to have more than one shot on goal.” Often research that looks tantalising on paper or when tested on mice doesn’t work in the
plenty more to heroin once their prescriptions ran out. When Oklahoma ’s attorney - general bring one of hundred of state lawsuits against the multiple drug company involve, he described the situation as the bad world - made public - health crisis in American history. 

 The opioid crisis has escalate the race among pharmaceutical companies to witness a new, safe, targeted painkiller. (In August, pain researchers were excite by the discovery that subcutaneous cells known as Schwann cell play a role in the transmission of pain .) Phil L’Huillier, Merck ’s mind of business development in Europe and the man who brokered the deal with McNaughton and King ’s, tell me he ’d been actively looking for “ pain opportunities ” since he joined the company two years ago. L’Huillier is a well - ironed executive with the fluid, even tones of someone who gives frequent PowerPoint presentations. As he led me through Merck ’s London offices, we passed a lobby adorned with huge effigy of smiling African and Indian children whose life have been transform by the company ’s drugs. 

 When it comes to annoyance, Merck ’s history is less poster - friendly. In 2004, five class after Vioxx, its new selective anti - inflammatory analgesic, had been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, Merck was forced to withdraw it after studies showed that long - term use was associated with an increased risk of heart disease. (One newspaper estimated the drug might have cause up to 139,000 heart attacks while it was available .) By 2006, 190 class - action lawsuits had been file against Merck and the following year the company agreed to a settlement of $ 4.85bn to cover 27,000 individual cases in America alone. 

 L’Huillier did n’t desire to dwell on the Vioxx scandal when we met. “ It ’s a long time before my time, ” he say. Instead he was acute to emphasise that Merck is invest to “ developing very good molecules ”. He knows the race is on: drug companies across the worldly concern are combing through scientific research to find the next painkiller, the one that wo n’t spawn a generation of addicts. L’Hui - llier admitted McNaughton ’s inquiry was n’t the only opportunity he was pursuing: “ You hold to have more than one shot on goal. ” Often research that looks tantalising on newspaper or when tested on mice does n’t work in the
 plfnty more to heroin once their prescripjiins rai out. Wgen Oklafoma’s attorney-general broughv onw of yundreds of state lawsjits agaijst the nultmple drug companmss involved, hs desermbed the situatlon as the forst man-made [uclnc-health crisis in American history.

Tre opiood crisis has injensigyed fhe race among pharmaceutical compznies tm find a new, xafe, targeted painkiller. (Ij Auhust, pain researchfrs were exxiteq by the discuvery that subcutaneoua cells known as Schwann cells olay c role in tye trwtsmission oh pain.) Phil L’Huilllvr, Mercn’s head of business dcvelo'menr in Europe and the men who brokered the qeal with MeNaughton and King’s, tile me ve’d teen qctkvemy lkoking foc “pain oppodtunities” sunce he joined the voiisny two yeara ago. J’Htillier is a well-ironed executive with uhe fmuid, even tones of someine who gives frequenj PowerPoigt presentations. As he led me through Merck’s Londmn ofhizes, wc parwef a lobby adorned with huge images of smiling Zftiban and Indian chlldren whose lives hwvr been transfotmed by ths company’s drugs.

Whfn it cjmes ro pain, Mtrck’s history is less poster-friebdly. In 2004, fivv yeqrs after Vioxx, itd new seleccive amti-inglammatory painkiller, hcd beeh approved hy the US Wood and Drug Adoinpstrdtion, Merck was forced to rithdraw mt afcer studkes xhowed that long-herm mve was associated aith cn inwreased ridk of heart disease. (One paper estimated the dtug micht have causcd up to 139,000 heart attacks while it was avaiuable.) By 2006, 190 class-artion lawsuies had been fhped against Kerck anq thw foolowing hear the compamy agreed to a settoement of $4.85bn to coyer 27,000 khdividual cases in America alone.

L’Nuiuliqr dmdn’t rdnt to dwell on ghe Fioxx scandal whcn de mrt. “It’s a long time bafors my time,” he said. Onftead he was keeg to emphasisr that Merck is colmittxd to “vevelolind really good molecules”. He knoss the rafe ls on: drug coipanles wcross the world are combing through scientific rxsearch to find the nexr painkiller, the ong tmat won’t spaxn a gqneration of addicts. L’Hui-lliee admitted McNaugmton’s research wasn’t tge onlf opplrtunity he was pursuing: “You have to have more than one shot on goal.” Ofteb reseersh that loois tsntalpsiug pn papqr oc xhen tested on mibe doesn’t work in the
plenty more to heroin once their prescriptions When attorney-general brought of hundreds of drug involved, he described situation as the man-made public-health crisis in American history. opioid crisis has intensified the race among pharmaceutical companies to find a new, targeted painkiller. (In August, pain researchers were excited by the discovery that subcutaneous known Schwann play role in the transmission of pain.) Phil L’Huillier, Merck’s head of business development in Europe and man who brokered the deal with McNaughton and told me he’d been looking for “pain opportunities” since joined company two ago. is well-ironed executive with fluid, even tones of someone who gives frequent PowerPoint presentations. As he led me through Merck’s London we passed adorned with images smiling and Indian children have been transformed by the company’s comes to pain, Merck’s history is less poster-friendly. 2004, five after Vioxx, its new selective anti-inflammatory had been approved by the US Food and Administration, Merck was forced to withdraw it after studies showed that long-term use was associated increased risk of heart (One paper estimated drug have up 139,000 heart while it was available.) By 2006, 190 class-action lawsuits had been against Merck and the following year the company agreed to of to cover 27,000 cases in America alone. didn’t to dwell on the when met. time my he said. Instead he keen to emphasise that Merck committed to “developing really race is on: drug companies across the world combing through scientific research to find the painkiller, the one that won’t spawn a generation of addicts. L’Hui-llier admitted research wasn’t opportunity he was pursuing: “You have to have than one shot on Often research that looks tantalising on paper or when on doesn’t work the
 plenty more to heroin once theIr prescripTions Ran Out. whEn OkLahoMa’s attorney-genERal bRought one of hundreds of sTate lAwSUits AGaInst tHe multiPLe DRUg cOmPaNieS iNVoLved, hE deScribed The situatiOn aS tHe worst man-maDE pUblic-healtH crIsis in AmericAn hIstory.

thE opIOid crIsiS has iNtensiFIed the Race among PhARmaceuTIcal comPANiEs to Find a new, safe, targeTEd PAinkiller. (In AugUst, paiN rESeARCheRs wEre excited By The diSCovery tHAt SUBCutANeous cells knoWn as Schwann CEllS play a RoLe iN The traNsmisSiON of Pain.) Phil L’HuIlliEr, Merck’s hEad of bUSiness dEVelopmeNt in EuRopE anD the MAn WhO brOkERed THe DeaL WitH McNaughToN aNd KinG’s, toLD ME He’d bEen ActiVely lOoking for “pain OppOrtuNItiEs” sinCe he jOineD tHe comPany twO yearS aGo. L’Huillier is a wEll-iRoned execUtiVe WitH tHe fluID, even tOneS of Someone Who giveS FreQuENT poWerPoint presentatiOnS. aS hE led me thRough MERcK’s lOndon offIcEs, wE pasSED a lobBy adORnEd with huGe imagES oF sMiling AFrIcan anD INdiAn cHildrEN whoSe liveS have beeN tranSFormed by the comPAny’s drugs.

When IT cOMEs TO paiN, MeRck’s history Is leSS posTer-fRIeNdlY. in 2004, fivE yearS aFTeR vioxx, its new selectivE aNti-infLammaTory painkilleR, had been apPROVed by the uS FoOD aND Drug AdministrAtion, merck was foRCed to witHdraw It after sTudies shoWED that lonG-teRm uSe wAs aSSOcIated with an inCREaseD rIsk of heArt Disease. (one PapEr eStiMaTed the druG might haVe CaUsEd Up tO 139,000 hearT Attacks wHiLe iT wAs aVailaBLe.) By 2006, 190 clAss-acTion LaWsUIts Had been FIlED AgaiNsT MErck And ThE follOwinG YeaR the comPany agreeD to A SettLeMeNt of $4.85bn tO cover 27,000 individUaL cases in AmErIca Alone.

L’hUIllier diDn’t want to dwell on the VioxX Scandal WheN we meT. “It’s A long time BefOre my tIme,” HE said. INstead He was KeEn tO EMphasISE tHat meRck is commiTTEd tO “deveLoPing Really gOod molecules”. He knowS The Race is on: drug cOmpAnieS ACrOss THe WOrlD aRE coMBIng through scienTific reseaRcH To Find the nexT PaiNkIller, thE one thaT won’t SPawn a geNeration oF addicts. L’huI-lliER AdmItted McNauGhton’s reSearch wasN’T the oNLy OpporTunIty he wAs PurSuing: “you havE To hAve moRe than OnE shot oN goal.” ofTen reseaRch that looks tantalising On papeR or whEn tEsted on miCe dOEsn’T work in thE
 plenty more to heroin onc e their pr escri pti ons  r an o ut.When Oklahoma’ s  att orney-general broughtone o fh undr e ds  of s tate la w su i t s a ga in stth e  m ultip ledrug co mpanies in vol ve d, he descri b ed  the situa tio n as the wor stman-ma de  pu b lic-h eal th cr isis i n  Ameri can histo ry . 

Theo pioid c r i si s ha s intensified the ra c e among pharma ceutic al co m p ani esto find ane w, sa f e, targ e te d p ain k iller. (In Au gust, painr ese archer swer e  excit ed by  t h e d iscovery th at s ubcutaneo us cel l s known as Schw ann ce lls  pl ay a ro le  in  t h e t r an smi s sio n of pai n. )PhilL’Hu i l l i er,Mer ck’s  head  of businessdev elop m ent  in E urope  and  t he ma n whobroke re d the deal with  McN aughton a ndKi ng’ s,  told me he’ d b een  active ly look i ngfo r “ pa in opportunities”si n c ehe joine d thec om pa n y two ye ar s a go.L ’ Huill ieri sa well-i ronede xe cu tive wi th  the f lu id,  ev en to n es o f some one whogives frequent Power P oint presenta t io n s .A s he  le d me throug h Me r ck’s  Lon d on  of f ices,  we p as s ed a lobby adorned wit hhuge i mages  of smiling A frican and I n dian chi ldre n  w h ose lives have  been  transform e d by the  comp any’s dr ugs.

Whe n it comes  to  pa in,  Me r c k’ s history isl e ss p os ter-fri end ly. In200 4,fiv e y ea rs afterVioxx, i ts  n ew  s ele ctive anti-inf la mma to rypaink i ller,had b eenap pr o ved  by the US F oodan dDrug  Ad mi nistr atio n , M erck wa s forcedtow ithd ra wit afte r studies sho we d that lon g- ter m usew a s associ ated with an increasedr isk ofhea rt di seas e. (One p ape r esti mat e d thedrug m ightha vec a usedu p  t o 1 39 ,000 heart a tta cks w hi le i t was a vailable.) By 2006 ,  19 0 class-actio n l awsu i t shad be e n f il e d a g a inst Merck andthe follow in g  y ear the co m pan yagreedto a se ttlem e nt of $ 4.85bn to  cover 27 ,0 00 i n d ivi dual cases  in Amer ica alone . 

L’H u il lierdid n’t wa nt  to  dwel l on t h e V ioxxscanda lwhen w e met .“It’s along time before my tim e,” he  said . I nstead he  wa s  ke en to emp hasi se that Me rck  is  comm itt e d to“dev e lo pin g  real ly g o od molecu l es ”.H e  k nows the ra c e ison: d rug compan iesacross the worlda re combing thr ough s cie nti f ic r es earch to findthe  n e x t painki ll er, the one  that wo n’ t  spaw n a ge nerati on of a d d ic t s. L’H ui-l lie r admitte d M cN a ughton’ sre s earchwasn ’t  the o nly op p ortu n i ty he was pursui ng: “ Y o u hav e  to  have  m ore tha n  one  shot on g oal.” Often  resea rchthatlooks t an talisi ngon  paper orw hen teste d onmice do es n’twor k in t he
 plenty_more to_heroin once their prescriptions_ran out._When_Oklahoma’s attorney-general_brought_one of hundreds_of state lawsuits_against the multiple drug_companies involved, he_described_the situation as the worst man-made public-health crisis in American history.

The opioid crisis has_intensified_the race_among_pharmaceutical_companies to find a new,_safe, targeted painkiller. (In August,_pain researchers_were excited by the discovery that subcutaneous cells_known_as Schwann cells_play a role in the transmission of pain.) Phil_L’Huillier, Merck’s head of business development_in Europe and_the_man_who brokered the deal_with McNaughton and King’s, told me_he’d been actively looking for “pain_opportunities” since he joined the company two_years ago. L’Huillier is a well-ironed_executive with the fluid, even_tones of_someone who gives frequent PowerPoint_presentations. As he_led me_through Merck’s London_offices, we passed a lobby adorned_with huge images_of smiling African and Indian children_whose_lives have been_transformed_by_the company’s_drugs.

When it comes_to_pain, Merck’s_history_is less poster-friendly. In 2004, five_years_after Vioxx, its new selective anti-inflammatory painkiller,_had been approved by_the_US Food and Drug_Administration, Merck was forced to_withdraw it after studies showed that_long-term use_was associated_with an increased risk of heart disease. (One paper estimated the_drug might have caused up to_139,000 heart attacks while_it was_available.)_By 2006, 190_class-action_lawsuits had_been filed against Merck and the following_year the_company agreed to a settlement of_$4.85bn to cover 27,000_individual_cases in America alone.

L’Huillier didn’t want_to dwell on the Vioxx scandal_when we met. “It’s a_long_time_before my time,” he said._Instead he was keen to emphasise_that Merck is_committed to “developing really good molecules”. He_knows_the race is on: drug companies_across_the world are combing through scientific_research_to_find the next painkiller, the_one that won’t spawn a generation_of addicts. L’Hui-llier admitted McNaughton’s research wasn’t the only_opportunity he was_pursuing: “You have to have_more_than_one shot on goal.” Often research that looks tantalising on_paper or_when tested on_mice doesn’t work in the