Merck and Siemens have expanded their collaboration by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing digital transformation in the life science sector. The agreement, announced in Darmstadt, Germany, brings together Merck’s Life Science portfolio and Siemens’ Xcelerator platform to deliver integrated software solutions, systems and consumables that span the entire chain of drug discovery, development and manufacturing. This MoU also marks the first joint use of technology from Siemens’ acquisition of Dotmatics, completed in July 2025.
“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, Merck. “By combining our strengths, we aim to change how science advances, unlocking new ways to accelerate scientific progress.”
Cedrik Neike, Member of the Managing Board at Siemens AG and CEO of Siemens Digital Industries, added: “We are partnering with Merck to give scientists around the world the instruments to speed up the development of life-saving medication. Every few years the cost for developing a new drug is doubling. Data, AI and digitalization are key to break 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.”
The collaboration will prioritize digital-first solutions that address workflow gaps in drug discovery and biomanufacturing. A key focus will be the integration of Merck’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) products with Siemens’ ecosystem. Early pilot projects include Merck’s AI tools and digital applications within Luma, the Dotmatics Scientific Intelligence Platform, enabling scientists to connect product ordering directly with digital resources for faster, data-driven decision-making. Over the longer term, the two companies intend to broaden their partnership by creating advanced data management tools, developing simpler interfaces, and exploring digital marketplaces that offer customers streamlined access to supporting technologies and services.
Both firms highlight that this new alliance is aimed at setting a new standard for digital transformation in life sciences. Through integrating their strengths in automation, data and AI, Merck and Siemens want to drive innovation faster and shorten the time it takes for innovative therapies to be brought to patients, while capitalizing on past collaborations in smart manufacturing.
