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​Innovation Made Real with Merck: Advancing Human Progress Through AI-Powered Science and Technology
Originally posted on 29 July 2024 on CapitaLand's Workspace Content Studio
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Where Science Meets Technology
According to the 2023 Legatum Prosperity Index’s “Health Category,” Singapore ranks first amongst 104 countries for having a healthy population that also has access to products and services that maintain good health.
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As the leading science and medical hub in Southeast Asia, Singapore is globally recognised for its innovation and digital excellence, attracting approximately 500,000 patients annually.
Singapore’s robust foundation in these areas is further bolstered by the innovative application of transformative technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Research institutes also collaborate with scientists to accelerate drug discovery and develop solutions for unmet healthcare needs.
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Merck KGaA (Merck) exemplifies the intersection between research and transformative technology, leveraging AI to innovate and accelerate advancements in medical technology and drug discovery. In this edition of Innovation Made Real, we cast the spotlight on Merck, exploring how AI has transformed the way they innovate and develop medicine.
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Leading the Charge in Drug Discovery — Merck
Founded in 1688, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The company first landed on Singapore’s shores in 1973 to expand its reach to Southeast Asia, before moving on to lay its roots and eventually establish its regional headquarters here in Singapore.
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Merck’s openness to explore new opportunities and embrace the world’s latest inventions enabled it to expand its global footprint exponentially. As Keng Hock Chua, Managing Director of Merck Singapore and Senior Vice President of Process Solutions for Merck’s Life Science Business in Asia-Pacific, shared,
Harnessing science and technology as a force for good, Merck Singapore continuously pushes the boundaries of scientific research to deliver innovative drug discovery solutions.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Not-So-Secret Secret Behind Merck’s Innovation Initiatives
How does Merck transcend the boundaries of scientific research?
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The answer is simple: AI.
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AI is a core part of Merck’s innovation efforts, which it has proactively explored and implemented into its operations to speed up the drug discovery process.
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This is especially important considering the lengthy and costly nature of conventional drug development journeys, where developing just one new drug from initial discovery to widespread market distribution typically takes 10-15 years and costs over US$2 billion. In the US alone, just 12% of new molecular entities that enter clinical trials are approved for public distribution by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Generative AI carries the potential to revolutionise the drug development journey, streamlining lengthy processes like clinical trial processes and protocols. According to market research firm Bekryl, generative AI can generate savings of over US$70 billion and reduce lead time by up to 70% by 2028.
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How Merck Marries Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Drug Discovery
Merck’s ardent belief in the potential of AI has borne fruit. In December 2023, the company launched its AIDDISON™ drug discovery software, the world’s first software-as-a-service platform that combines generative AI, machine learning (ML), and computer-aided drug design to swiftly identify the best molecular structures and accelerate the drug discovery process.
Merck's scientists collaborating on a joint project in the lab.
Photo credit: Merck
Configured with over two decades of experimentally validated datasets from pharmaceutical research, AIDDISON™ empowers scientists to generate novel molecules and optimize the drug-like properties of their best lead compounds with predictive ML models. It is also integrated with Merck’s proprietary SYNTHIA™ Retrosynthesis Software, an AI-powered tool that enables AIDDISON™ to pinpoint the best possible methods to execute the necessary molecules with the correct properties.
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With AIDDISON™, Merck is empowered to cut through the tedium of the traditional drug discovery process, freeing up precious time, resources, and expertise to increase the success rate of innovating and delivering therapies to patients.
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In addition to AIDDISON™, Merck’s Healthcare business sector also forged key partnerships with BenevolentAI and Exscientia in September 2023 to bolster its AI-driven drug discovery capabilities. With these two industry leaders on board, Merck is empowered to accelerate its initiative to produce first-in-class and best-in-class drug targets for oncology, neurology, and immunology.
Unveiling Merck Group’s Digital Hub in Singapore.
Photo credit: Merck From L to R: Milind Neurgaonkar, Managing Director, Merck Singapore (retired in June 2024), Laura Matz, Chief Science & Technology Officer, Merck KGaA, Goh Wan Yee, Senior Vice President and Head Healthcare for Singapore Economic Development Board, James Kugler, Managing Director, Merck Digital
Merck also unveiled a Digital Hub in Singapore in January 2024, within which it amplifies its AI capabilities via two digital platforms: Syntropy™ and Athinia™. Specifically, Syntropy™ establishes Merck’s foundations for AI-driven analytics in healthcare, ensuring that relevant collated data is shared, protected, and used in a hyper-secure and governed environment. As for Athinia™, it serves Merck’s semiconductor arm, optimising supply chain efficiency and technological advancement.
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Through AI powered software such as AIDDISON™, partnerships with science and pharma industry players, and its Digital Hub in Singapore, Merck demonstrates its commitment to placing AI front and centre in its mission to transform healthcare and drug discovery. Together, these initiatives contribute to Merck’s goal of building the laboratory of the future, where digital technologies and tools are harnessed to promote productivity and efficiency without compromising accuracy and reproducibility.
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Singapore Science Park: A Place to Call Home
While Merck’s AI-focused efforts bring a world of good to healthcare, it grapples with a few key limitations.
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One of these limitations is rising inflation, which leads to a rise in operational costs that are inevitably passed on to the prices of their goods and services. Aside from cost, Merck also deals with the challenge of retaining earlier-in-career professionals. Increasingly, newer generations of professionals seek higher salaries, flexible work arrangements, and many opportunities for growth, particularly in training and development.
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So, how does Merck stay competitive in this market?
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This begins with acknowledging the importance of striking a balance between cost management and achieving competitive growth. With this fundamental understanding in mind, Merck selected Ascent within Singapore Science Park to house its Singapore employees in 2016.
Ascent is prominently located at the gateway of Singapore Science Park 1.
Photo credit: CapitaLand
A key consideration for this choice is Ascent’s proximity to many of Merck’s life science customers in the greater one-north region. With the National University of Singapore (NUS) and National University Hospital (NUH) also located in the area, Merck further gains ready access to a highly skilled and diverse talent pool. Merck was also drawn to Ascent’s ability to meet its unique needs, along with the building’s flexibility for future expansion.
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Beyond intellectual capital, the Singapore Science Park is also well connected to key transport nodes, with Kent Ridge and Haw Par Villa MRT stations and several public bus services available within walking distance. Tenants can also opt for the complimentary shuttle bus services to further shorten their commute.
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Merck also appreciates Singapore Science Park’s efforts to reinvent itself beyond just being a provider of office spaces.
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"Over the years, Singapore Science Park has been reinventing into an environment that offers more than just office spaces. Through the introduction of collaborative spaces, events, and exchanges, Singapore Science Park has built a healthier, more holistic, and connected community."
- Keng Hock Chua, Managing Director of Merck Singapore and Senior Vice President of Process Solutions, Asia-Pacific, Life Science Business of Merck​​
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Building the Laboratory of the Future
With its location settled, Merck set its sights on designing the optimal office and laboratory environment for its Singapore operations. Strategically designed with a bright and open concept, Merck’s office is fitted with several collaboration zones that facilitate spontaneous interactions and idea-sharing.
Merck’s meeting rooms are designed to foster meaningful collaborations and discussions among its staff.
Photo credit: Merck
Merck also installed ergonomic desks to cater to individual work styles and comfort needs, while strategically placed phone booths provide privacy for focused tasks and sensitive conversations.
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By thoughtfully engineering its workspace, Merck created an environment that facilitates discussions, innovation, and an efficient workflow, all of which are essential for the company's continued success in the highly competitive science and technology industry.
Merck has a dedicated M Lab™ Collaboration Center to train customers on the use of its innovations.
Photo credit: Merck
Woven into Merck's Ascent office is the M Lab™ Collaboration Center, a dedicated training facility built specially for its customers to test advanced techniques, explore novel modalities, and even upskill their teams.
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Aside from the M Lab™ Collaboration Center, Merck also established Asia-Pacific's first BioReliance® biosafety testing laboratory within Ascent. Through this laboratory, Merck provides its Asia-Pacific customers with crucial testing services that ensure the sterility, safety, and quality of their biological drug products.
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Outside of Merck’s office, employees have ready access to a variety of amenities available within Ascent, including F&B, retail, and even a gym on the ground floor.
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The icing on top? Verdant landscaping within and without Ascent to spruce up the surrounding environment with a touch of nature.
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AI and Science, Hand in Hand
The team at Merck Singapore.
Photo credit: Merck
From its perch in Singapore Science Park, Merck is well poised to ascend to new heights, developing innovative and accessible healthcare solutions that are augmented with AI and other digital technologies in Asia-Pacific.
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Looking ahead, Merck is here to stay for the long haul, with Singapore providing the company with the impetus to advance its innovation efforts.
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Singapore has the right foundation with access to a highly skilled and diverse talent pool and a world-class infrastructure. As a global business hub, Singapore is a magnet for investments and attracts the world’s best talent to the country. These are crucial ingredients for any industry to thrive and in helping businesses like Merck succeed and make an impact!
- Keng Hock Chua, Managing Director of Merck Singapore and Senior Vice President of Process Solutions, Asia-Pacific, Life Science Business of Merck