Merck Launches its Uptune Program in Asia for Collaborating with Startups

Application period for the MerckUptuneprogramstartstoday

Topics vary from AI-enabled health and cell and gene therapy tools to innovative technologies and materials in semiconductor and smart manufacturing

Selected startups can receive funding of up to € 100,000

SINGAPORE,July 22,2022 -- Merck,a leading science and technology company,announced the launch of its Uptune program in Asia,which aims to generate collaboration opportunities with early-stage innovative companies.

"The startup environment in Asia is unique and inspiring. Building mutually beneficial and sustainable partnerships with promising startups and creating synergies between Merck and young companies will bring forward the next big ideas," said Steven Johnston,Vice President,Head of Technology Innovation and Enablement,Merck Group Science and Technology Office. "Merck can bea strong supporter for them to jointly grow their business,providing not onlyfunding,butalsoknowledge andindustry expertise."

Merck Launches its Uptune Program in Asia for Collaborating with Startups

TheMerck UptuneProgram isMerck's startup collaboration program. Itsupportsearly-stagecompaniesacrossAsiaworkingonrelevanttopics withinhealthcare,life science,electronics,and smart manufacturing,and with astrongfocuson

digital health solutions;

innovative technologies/materials for semiconductor and display;

cellular,molecular- andimmuno-assays;cellandgenetherapytools,chemistryandmaterials for life science;

Supply chain innovation,data management,simulation and analytics for manufacturing.

The selected companies will receive up to € 100,000 in financial assistance,mentoring,and coaching from Merck experts in the areas of research,business development,strategy and finance. With the aim of developing proofs-of-concepts,the companies have the opportunity to deepen their understandingofbusiness scenariosandneedsandtesttheirsolutionsontheinternational stage with Merck's global presence in 66 countries,which couldleadtoinstrumental businesscasesorapartnershipwith Merck.

The Merck Uptune startup collaboration program will start in mid-November2022. The application period will run through September 4,2022 via thewebsite (Apply Now). Merck is looking for up to five startups to participate intheprogram.

Formoreinformation,pleasevisitthiswebsite.

AboutMerck

Merck,operates across life science,healthcare and electronics. Around 60,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2021,Merck generated sales of € 19.7 billion in 66 countries.

Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck's technological andscientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding familyremains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Mercknameandbrand.TheonlyexceptionsaretheUnited StatesandCanada,wherethebusiness sectorsofMerck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science,EMD Serono in healthcare,and EMD Electronics inelectronics.