Merck Offers New Opportunities for Biotech Startups

In recent times, process development capabilities and securing global networks have emerged as critical challenges for early-stage domestic biotech startups. Against this backdrop, Merck Life Science is hosting a competition for startups in the new drug development sector, an initiative that warrants significant attention. This marks the fourth iteration of the competition, which is being held under the name 2026 Promising Biotech Startup Discovery Competition.

Key Details and Schedule of the Competition

This competition is a program designed to discover and support the growth of startups with innovative technologies in the domestic bio and synthetic new drug fields. The target applicants are biotech startups currently engaged in new drug development. Companies interested in participating can apply through the official Merck Life Science website from May 26th to July 31st.

The evaluation will be conducted by a panel of bio-process experts from Merck Life Science, with the main assessment criteria including:

• Technological Innovation
• Research and Development Capabilities
• Growth Potential
• Commercialization Prospects

Merck Life Science has announced an increased scale of support compared to the previous year to enhance the global competitiveness of early and growth-stage companies. This is indeed welcome news!

Awarded Companies and Support Details

A total of four companies will be recognized as winners in this competition, and they will receive Merck products and services valued at approximately 370 million KRW. The specific support details are as follows:

• Merck Grand Award: Approximately 180 million KRW for one company
• Merck First-in-Class Award: Approximately 100 million KRW for one company
• Merck Best-in-Class Award: Approximately 42 million KRW for one company
• Merck Innovation Award: Approximately 21 million KRW for one company

Selected companies will receive Merck Life Science's process solutions products and technical support, along with an opportunity to participate in the K-Bio Lab Hub membership program. The awards ceremony and announcement of the winning companies are scheduled for October 30th.

Merck's Commitment and Vision

Kim Young-im, Head of the Process Solutions Business at Merck Life Science Korea, stated, "This competition is a support program aimed at enhancing the technological growth and commercialization potential of domestic biotech startups." She added, "We aim to bolster the global competitiveness of promising biotech companies by leveraging Merck's process development capabilities and technical support." With Merck's firm commitment, we look forward to many startups achieving growth through this opportunity.