Germany-Based Merck Enters Two Strategic Collaborations to Strengthen AI-Driven Drug Discovery

Reportedly, both partners will receive upfront payments in the low double-digit million US dollars range. Moreover, they will also be eligible for payments tied to discovery, development, regulatory and commercial milestones along with tiered royalties based on net sales.

Germany's prominent science and technology player, Merck has entered into two strategic drug discovery collaborations with BenevolentAI, London, UK, and Exscientia, Oxford, UK.

These partnerships seek to utilise AI-driven design and discovery capabilities, further advancing Merck's research efforts. Further, it is expected to generate multiple novel clinical development drug candidates with first-in-class potential, particularly in critical therapeutic areas of oncology, neurology and immunology.

Additionally, Merck will use Exscientia's AI platform to expedite and precisely design and optimise potential drug candidates. 

As per the agreement clauses, three potential first-in-class targets have been selected to initiate each partnership with the possibility of identifying and nominating additional targets in the future. 

The collaborative efforts are primarily focused on advancing small molecule development candidates, which the Germany-based company will choose for further pre-clinical and clinical development. 

Reportedly, both partners will receive upfront payments in the low double-digit million US dollars range. Moreover, they will also be eligible for payments tied to discovery, development, regulatory and commercial milestones along with tiered royalties based on net sales.

Both partnered companies seek to transform drug discovery and development. Headquartered in London, UK's BenevolentAI aims to use its technology to comb vast troves of medical data '” from clinical trials to academic papers '” to help researchers find new ways to treat and target diseases. While the Oxford-based pharmatech company, Exscientia uses an end-to-end AI platform to design and discover new drugs.

Founded in 1668, Merck also known as Merck KGaA is one of the oldest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The company seeks to leverage science and technology to achieve lasting progress for mankind. Today, the company is rapidly advancing in research and development to deliver advanced health solutions across the world.

In a recent development, the pharmaceutical company has renewed its strategic alliance with the Institute of Cancer Research, London with the shared goal of discovering and developing new cancer drugs. 

This collaboration underscores the industry-wide shift toward healthcare technologies. The wave of change has been accepted by India as well with its healthcare companies rapidly adapting to digital health technologies to enhance healthcare delivery. 

For instance, Apollo Hospital in Delhi successfully conducted a gallbladder surgery of an 83 year old man. The surgery significantly improved the patient's quality of life.

In another instance, a collaborative effort was undertaken to deliver vital medical supplies in tribal communities of Sirohi, Rajasthan. With the help of technology making healthcare services accessible and affordable.