This document summarizes information about Merck & Co., a large pharmaceutical company, and RPS, a clinical research organization. It discusses Merck's revenues, R&D investments, therapeutic areas, and a merger in 2009. It then provides details about RPS's history, operations in 45 countries, and growth. The remainder discusses changes in pharmaceutical R&D and outsourcing strategies, differences in conducting global versus local clinical trials, and key factors for successful international monitoring.