It is not always possible to precisely plan the process of researching and developing new products and solutions. Nevertheless, we aim to improve the efficiency of our R&D activities in this respect, which is why we are constantly enhancing our organization and also engaging in new types of collaborative partnerships.
Through our collaboration activities, we constantly maintain contact with leading scientists at universities and institutes worldwide. For example, Merck is a partner in the Industrial Liaison Program of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, and we cooperate with the University of Heidelberg. In addition, we collaborate within the scope of initiatives and joint projects funded, for instance, by the European Union or German federal ministries.
Further collaborations formed in 2013:
- In April 2013, Merck inaugurated its “New Business R&D and Application Lab” in Taiwan. The aim of the laboratory is to work with customers locally to develop materials and first-rate services for the development of OLED panels, LED lighting, 3D technology and flexible displays. This will make it possible to considerably shorten new product development lead times.
- In May 2013, Merck announced the launch of a project sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to develop high-efficiency cobalt-based dye-sensitized solar cells. Merck, the consortium leader, is participating in the research project together with 3GSolar from Jerusalem, Israel, and Color Synthesis Solutions Ltd. (CSS) from Manchester, United Kingdom. The partners to the project are pursuing the goal of significantly increasing the efficiency and stability of dye-sensitized solar cells.
- In July 2013, Merck entered into a partnership with the Kymeta Corporation, a company headquartered in the United States. Kymeta is developing ultra-thin antennae for satellite communication that are based on liquid crystal technology. Liquid crystals allow these antennae to be made in such a way that they can someday be used for satellite communication in moving objects such as cars, planes, and trains.
- In November 2013, Merck announced the start of the POPUP research project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This aims to help achieve the breakthrough of organic photovoltaics (OPV). The research consortium coordinated by Merck consists of ten technology leaders working in various areas of OPV. The objectives of POPUP are to develop significantly more efficient and stable OPV materials for cost-effective industrial printing and coating processes.
- In December 2013, Merck joined forces with market-leading partners from the automobile industry to launch a project sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This initiative aims to develop liquid crystal-based headlight systems with components that can be selectively turned on or off to provide optimal illumination, for instance during complex traffic situations.
MS Ventures is a strategic corporate venture capital fund that makes early-stage investments in innovative biotech firms. The investments focus on Merck Serono’s fields of research and therapy. The fund was set up in 2009. In order for Merck Serono to be able to invest more in early innovation, in 2013 the size of MS Ventures was increased to € 100 million. In addition, MS Ventures also manages the € 10 million MS Israel Bioincubator Fund as well as spin-off companies funded through the € 30 million Entrepreneur Partnership Program.
Open Innovation: In 2013, a total of 30 students from around the world participated for the third time in the one-week Merck Serono Innovation Cup. The winning team developed a convincing business plan for a new approach to enhance the efficacy of cancer vaccines. Internal R&D experts are currently looking at ways to advance the idea. Apart from competitions, Merck also offers attractive open innovation opportunities to talented future scientists, for example via the University of Heidelberg and MIT in the United States.
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