Merck, a leading science and technology company, and Siemens, a global technology leader, have announced the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that significantly extends their ongoing strategic partnership. The agreement is designed to accelerate digital transformation in the life sciences sector by delivering integrated solutions that harness the power of automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data management.
The MoU focuses on combining Merck’s deep expertise in life sciences with Siemens’ advanced digital platforms to create software solutions, systems, and consumables that seamlessly connect the traditionally fragmented stages of drug discovery, development, and manufacturing. The partnership aims to help scientists and pharmaceutical manufacturers overcome bottlenecks, shorten development cycles, and reduce the growing costs of bringing new medicines to patients.
A major milestone in this agreement is the first joint use of technology acquired by Siemens through its purchase of Dotmatics, which was completed in July 2025. This acquisition brought Siemens new capabilities in scientific informatics, particularly through the Luma Scientific Intelligence Platform developed by Dotmatics. The integration of Merck’s AI-powered applications into this environment will be one of the first visible outcomes of the expanded collaboration.
Unlocking New Possibilities for Scientists
“Through this collaboration with Siemens, we are opening new possibilities for scientists to move faster from an idea in the lab to a therapy for patients,” said Jean-Charles Wirth, Member of the Executive Board and CEO Life Science at Merck. “By combining our strengths, we aim to change how science advances, unlocking new ways to accelerate scientific progress.”
Wirth emphasized that the partnership is not only about technology integration but also about reshaping how scientists approach discovery. By embedding powerful digital tools into existing workflows, researchers will be able to make decisions earlier and more effectively, creating a ripple effect across the entire innovation process.
Tackling the Rising Cost of Drug Development
Cedrik Neike, Member of the Managing Board at Siemens AG and CEO of Siemens Digital Industries, underscored the urgency of addressing the mounting costs in the pharmaceutical industry. “Every few years, the cost for developing a new drug is doubling,” Neike explained. “Data, AI, and digitalization are key to breaking this paradigm. We are connecting every step of drug development through a digital backbone – so that data flows seamlessly, insights emerge faster, and medication reaches patients faster.”
By establishing this “digital backbone,” Siemens and Merck are working to ensure that life science research becomes more efficient, reproducible, and scalable. The companies believe that greater digital integration is essential to meet the growing global demand for faster innovation in healthcare.
Focus Areas of the Collaboration
The renewed partnership will concentrate on delivering digital-first solutions that close workflow gaps in drug discovery and biomanufacturing. A core element of this strategy is the integration of Merck’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) products with Siemens’ digital ecosystem.
Initial pilot projects are already underway, beginning with the integration of Merck’s AI tools and digital applications into Luma, the Dotmatics Scientific Intelligence Platform. This integration will allow scientists to order products directly within the platform while simultaneously accessing the analytical and AI-powered tools required to interpret results. For researchers, this means fewer steps, faster feedback loops, and the ability to make better data-driven decisions in real time.
Building on these initial successes, the two companies intend to co-develop additional tools that support advanced data management and streamline complex scientific processes. Plans include the creation of intuitive user interfaces that simplify the adoption of sophisticated digital tools, ensuring accessibility for a wider range of scientists.
Furthermore, Merck and Siemens are exploring the potential of digital marketplaces. These would give customers direct access to a broader ecosystem of complementary technologies and services, creating a more interconnected digital environment for life science research and manufacturing.
Driving the Future of Digital Life Sciences
Both Merck and Siemens view digital innovation as central to the next generation of scientific and medical breakthroughs. The extended partnership is designed not only to improve efficiency but also to set a new industry standard for how digital transformation can empower scientists and manufacturers.
“This is about more than technology,” said Wirth. “It’s about creating an ecosystem where discovery happens faster, where insights flow freely, and where patients receive the therapies they need sooner.”
Neike echoed this vision, highlighting the broader implications for the industry: “By building this digital backbone together with Merck, we are setting a blueprint for how pharmaceutical R&D and production can be reimagined for the digital age.”
The latest MoU builds on earlier agreements between the two companies in the field of smart manufacturing. By extending their collaboration into the digitalization of drug discovery and development, Merck and Siemens reaffirm their shared commitment to driving innovation and shaping the future of the life sciences industry.
At its core, the partnership represents a convergence of science and technology—two fields that, when integrated seamlessly, hold the potential to transform the way medicines are discovered, developed, and delivered to patients worldwide.
About Merck
Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. More than 62,000 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 providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2024, Merck generated sales of € 21.2 billion in 65 countries.
Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck’s technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics.
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About Siemens
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. The company’s purpose is to create technology to transform the everyday, for everyone. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers customers to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformations, making factories more efficient, cities more livable, and transportation more sustainable.
A leader in industrial AI, Siemens leverages its deep domain know-how to apply AI – including generative AI – to real-world applications, making AI accessible and impactful for customers across diverse industries. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a leading global medical technology provider pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably. In fiscal 2024, which ended on September 30, 2024, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €75.9 billion and net income of €9.0 billion. As of September 30, 2024, the company employed around 312,000 people worldwide on the basis of continuing operations. Further information is available on the Internet at siemens.com.
