Germany-based pharmaceutical company Merck KGaA has more than doubled the size of its corporate venturing unit to €100m ($130m). In March 2009, Merck founded its corporate venturing unit – now branded as MS Ventures was – with €40m to invest in early-stage biotechnology companies in oncology, neurodegenerative diseases, fertility, endocrinology and cardiometabolic care. This initial fund has invested in deals, including Auxogyn, Vaximm and EpiTherapeutics. In addition to the strategic venture fund, MS Ventures also manages the €10m MS Israel Bioincubator Fund and €30m Entrepreneur Partnership Program established to fund spin-offs from the parent company, such as Asceneuron. Stefan Oschmann, Merck executive board member and chief executive of its Merck Serono (MS) biotech division, said: “Biotech companies and their venture capital investors are a critical source of ideas and innovation for our industry. “Our continued commitment to MS Ventures underlines our dedication to work closely with the innovation ecosystem of venture capital, entrepreneurs, biotech companies and universities to create the next generation of technologies and drugs that have the potential to improve patient outcomes.” Roel Bulthuis (pictured), head of MS Ventures, added: “Leveraging respective capabilities of companies that receive seed funding through MS Ventures and of our internal organization, enables us to facilitate development of innovative drugs with a greater level of clinical and commercial differentiation.”
Sectors
- News & Analysis
- Home
- Global Corporate Venturing
- Global University Venturing
- Latest News
- Publications
- Podcast
- Deal Data
- Video
- Subscribe
- Newsletters
- Community & Events
Merck more than doubles fund
May 20, 2013 • Global Corporate Venturing
LEADERSHIP SOCIETY
Informing, connecting, and transforming the global corporate venture capital ecosystem.
The Global Corporate Venturing (GCV) Leadership Society’s mission is to help bridge the different strengths and ambitions of investors across industry sectors, geography, structure, and their returns.Featured Content
FUNDING ROUND DATA Which corporates are backing which startups? Search our corporate deal database.FUNDING ROUND DATA
Which corporates are backing which startups? Search our corporate deal database.
About us
GCV provides the global corporate venturing community and their ecosystem partners with the information, insights and access needed to drive impactful open innovation. Across our three services - News & Analysis, Community & Events, and the GCV Institute - we create a network-rich environment for global innovation and capital to meet and thrive. At the heart of our community sits the GCV Leadership Society, providing privileged access to all our services and resources.
Navigation
test regLogin
Not yet subscribed?
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read MorePrivacy & Cookies PolicyPrivacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.