Merck Strengthens Corporate Responsibility Efforts with Nine New Signature Partnerships

• New and expanded partnerships accelerate scientific research, science education

Darmstadt, Germany, October 4, 2017 — Building on its commitment to accelerate scientific research and science education, Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced nine new or expanded partnerships with leading nonprofit organizations across the world through its Life Science business sector. These long-term, multi-dimensional partnerships are designed to spark scientific curiosity and passion — paving the road for innovative breakthroughs with demonstrated impact and measurable outcomes.

“We have a long history of supporting innovative research- and education-based organizations, not only through financial investments, but also through the active involvement of our employees,” said Udit Batra, Member of the Merck Executive Board and CEO, Life Science. “All of our signature partnerships include skills-based volunteer components, allowing our employees to bring their technical expertise and passion for science to communities around the world.”

To support today’s scientists in accelerating access to health, the Life Science business sector of Merck has announced several partnerships geared toward scientific research.

• Boston Children’s Hospital — The Life Science business sector of Merck is supporting Boston Children’s Hospital with efforts spanning both scientific research and science education. This includes a donation to support the development of an injectable form of oxygen; hands-on science experiences for patients through Merck’s Curiosity Labs™ program; and a “Curiosity Cart” program to deliver science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, as well as virtual reality experiences for patients.
   
• BioSTL — Life Science is partnering with BioSTL to advance St. Louis, Missouri’s bioscience and innovation ecosystem through a variety of programs. The partnership will help local bioscience startups build their businesses through an entrepreneurship engagement component, in which Life Science employees will serve as mentors to help the startups solve problems. This partnership will also further BioSTL’s work to promote diversity, inclusion and equity by providing science education opportunities to female and minority students from local middle and high schools.
   
• JDRF — Life Science is partnering with this leading global diabetes organization to support scientific innovation by creating opportunities to attract young, international scientists to pursue a career in type 1 diabetes (T1D) research through postdoctoral fellowship awards. Merck’s Life Science employees will also participate in local community activities to raise awareness about T1D, raise funds for research and support local T1D communities.
   
• Seeding Labs — Through an expanded partnership with Seeding Labs — which provides lab equipment, training and support to scientists in developing countries — Life Science will sponsor a new TeleScience online platform. Designed to accelerate teaching and research for thousands of scientists, this platform will include educational videos and sessions created and led by trained Life Science employees.
  
  To spark curiosity in the next generation of scientists, Merck has announced the following signature partnerships that focus on the advancement of science education.
   
• Chemistry on the Go — The Life Science business sector of Merck is partnering with Tamkang University, Taiwan, on its Chemistry on the Go program to fund an additional mobile science lab — reaching more than 60,000 students annually. Employees from Merck’s Life Science campuses in Taiwan will volunteer and provide guidance on experiment development. Merck will also develop a structured professional development program for teachers.
   
• Discovery World — Through a partnership with this interactive science and technology center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Life Science will support the development of the “Merck Virtual Explorer,” an exhibit that allows visitors to easily explore various science concepts using virtual reality equipment. Life Science employees will assist with core scientific principles and engage thousands of students during Merck Science Days.
   
• Girlstart — The Life Science business sector is expanding its partnership with Girlstart to support its national expansion into Houston, Texas, Boston, Massachusetts, and St. Louis, Missouri through the availability of summer camps and after-school programs. Life Science employees will provide guidance on topics and lessons through extensive volunteer opportunities.
   
• Technorama — Through a partnership with the Swiss Science Center Technorama, the Life Science business sector will help develop and operate a fully equipped, state-of-the-art branded wet lab, reaching more than 70,000 visitors annually. Technorama will use this lab to provide science-focused professional development for teachers throughout Switzerland. Life Science employees will also collaborate with Technorama science education experts to develop new lessons for its innovative Curiosity Labs™ program.
   
• KIPP St. Louis — The Life Science business sector is partnering with the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) to expand and strengthen its middle school science program, increase access to science equipment and provide funding for two additional schools. Life Science employees will donate their time and expertise, serving as mentors to students.

Merck’s commitment to education is a key element of the company’s Corporate Responsibility strategy. In 2016 alone, Merck invested €3.2 million in educational projects. The company’s activities also include awarding international scholarships in India and China, for example. Furthermore, Merck widely promotes STEM programs in schools. Amongst others, Merck has been a partner of “Jugend forscht,” Germany’s largest and most successful young scientist competition for more than 30 years. Since 1996, the company has been staging the state competition in Hesse, Germany, and has hosted the national finals twice.

For more information on Merck’s employee and community engagement initiatives, visit the Life Science business sector of Merck’s Corporate Responsibility page here.

About the Corporate Responsibility Efforts of the Life Science Business of Merck

Through its corporate responsibility initiatives, the Life Science business of Merck harnesses the collective expertise, passion and energy of employees to minimize its environmental footprint and positively impact communities around the world.

The Life Science business is uniquely positioned to solve the toughest problems in Life Science through its efforts aligned with strengths in research, innovation and collaboration with the global scientific community. This helps differentiate its business and provides a competitive edge for its customers, while accelerating access to health for people everywhere. The Life Science business sector of Merck demonstrates its commitment to corporate responsibility through extensive programs in three main areas: Greener Products and Solutions—which includes Design for Sustainability, Green Chemistry, Packaging and Recycling initiatives; Employee and Community Engagement; and Sustainable Operations.

About Merck

Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, Life Science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2015, Merck generated sales of € 15.0 billion in 66 countries.

Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck holds the global rights to the “Merck“ name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.