Merck, a leading science and technology company, has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). The academia-industry cooperation aims at advancing the research and development ecosystem in South Korea for industrial applications.

Through the partnership, Merck will provide products from its chemistry and biology portfolios for researchers in the lab. Merck will also offer development opportunities for KAIST researchers. These include the participation in the annual international programmes Innovation Cup and the Curious Future Insight Conference as well as fellowships for graduate students and awards for professors.

Additionally, Merck and KAIST will establish an experience lab in Korea. It aims to support researchers in improving their skills for developing new application notes and scientific workflows in areas such as material analysis, drug discovery, and omics solutions.

A research partnership will also be established for joint R&D collaboration, focusing on advancing innovation in prioritised research areas. Merck’s corporate venture fund M Ventures will team up with the KAIST entrepreneurial team to build a startup ecosystem as part of the partnership.

Image caption- From left to right: Kwang-Hyung Lee, President of KAIST; Matthias Heinzel, Member of the Executive Board of Merck and CEO Life Science