AI @ Merck & Co.
Summary
- Merck has progressively integrated advanced AI technologies, including generative AI and machine learning, into its drug discovery, development, and manufacturing processes from late 2023 through 2025, significantly accelerating target identification and compound optimization.
- Key collaborations with institutions like the Vector Institute, BCG, and AI-focused biotech firms, alongside internal development of large-scale AI models such as TEDDY, underline a strategic commitment to embedding AI across therapeutic areas, improving precision by up to 10% and reducing drug development timelines drastically.
- By mid-2025, Merck expanded AI usage to internal generative platforms and AI-enhanced search tools for clinical documentation, reflecting mature AI adoption that emphasizes a human-in-the-loop approach, boosting both innovation capacity and operational efficiencies across research and product pipelines.
VIBE METER
5 AI Use Cases at Merck & Co.
Search Enhancement2025Customer Facing
Target Identification2025
Clinical Documenting2025
Insight Extraction2024
Timeline
2025 Q4: no updates
2025 Q3
Merck's AI strategy, combining full-spectrum drug development and a multi-layered data moat, cements its position to dominate biopharmaceutical innovation leveraging comprehensive AI integration.
2025 Q2
Merck expanded internal generative AI solutions to reduce time in clinical study document production, launched an AI-powered search tool for Merck Manuals, and through Dr. Iya Khalil highlighted advanced proprietary foundation AI models (like TEDDY) improving disease inference by 10%, accelerating target ID from years to weeks, and embedding AI broadly across R&D functions.
2025 Q1
Merck embraced AI in drug research with a human-in-the-loop approach to identify and weed out less promising targets rapidly, used AI/ML to optimize lead compound properties, and incorporated large language models (LLMs) to accelerate drug discovery and development workflows.
2024 Q4
Merck reported large-scale AI adoption across its business, with tens of thousands of employees using AI to increase efficiency and insight; AI was applied to analyze disease biology by identifying patterns in tissue and tumor samples beyond human discernment.
2024 Q3
Merck showcased its commitment to AI by publishing content underscoring its cultural shift towards using AI technology to transform scientific work and improve lives with AI-driven innovation.
2024 Q2
Merck entered a strategic collaboration with Boston Consulting Group to leverage generative AI and also partnered with AI-focused biotech Biolojic Design to accelerate the development of oncology and immunology therapeutics using AI-driven drug discovery engines.
2024 Q1
Merck expanded its AI capabilities through partnerships with the Vector Institute in Canada to access AI research networks, and Variational AI to evaluate generative AI platforms for designing novel small molecules, becoming an early adopter of generative AI drug discovery platforms.
2023 Q4
Merck launched its first-ever AI solution integrating generative AI, machine learning, and computer-aided drug design to increase the success rate of new drugs and speed drug development, based on over two decades of internal data.