Merck is taking an emerging-markets approach to its business strategies and will expand marketing in Africa, company chairman Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp reported in Johannesburg, according to FiercePharma.

Merck will likely begin its sales in South Africa without focusing on production. Stangenberg-Haverkamp said: "To set up a biotech business in South Africa would be impossible--it's difficult enough to find qualified people in Switzerland," as reported in FiercePharma.

Merck plans to keep their sales offices in South Africa to build its regional presence.