Merck, a leading science and technology company, has recently announced the ten startups that will be joining the seventh intake of its Accelerator program at the Merck Innovation Centre in Darmstadt. The teams come from nine different countries, making 2019 the most international intake in the Merck Accelerator’s history. They were chosen from a total of 565 applications, coming from startups based in 68 countries across the world.

“We are confident that inviting such a diverse group of collaboration-ready startups can lead to outstanding partnerships. We believe that startups and a company such as Merck can mutually benefit a lot from working together. Partnering with startups, we connect with new external ideas while we simultaneously help them to take off. Bringing curious and expert minds together is a tremendous opportunity to create innovations beyond our current scope,” said Michael Gamber, Head of the Merck Innovation Centre.

The ten selected startups will join the Merck Accelerator for the program’s three-month duration. For the first time since the launch of the program, some of the participating startups will also have the opportunity to extend their stay by joining the company’s China Innovation Hub in Shanghai, which will give them the opportunity to access the Chinese market.

Out of the 10 startups, 2 come from India- Next Big Innovation Labs (NBIL) and MicroX Labs (Pratimesh Labs).

Bengaluru based NBIL has developed a global 3D Bioprinting platform that enhances the applications of this technology across industries. Using the platform, the startup is working towards developing 3D Bioprinted Skin (InnoSkin). The team has expertise in 3D printing, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals, and aims to develop cutting edge products that enhance and empower research and product development.

Headquartered in Bengaluru, India, MicroX Labs has developed a home-testing solution for patients undergoing chemotherapy or immunotherapy to monitor their cell counts, thus saving them frequent visits to the clinic. The startup’s technology measures cell counts from a finger prick using automated sample preparation on disposable cartridges combined with label-free analysis and proprietary sensors.