Emerging companies find it increasingly difficult to reach the right person when seeking funding and/or partners. Through the “Meet with…” Series, we provide emerging companies with greater access to partnering and/or financing opportunities.

In this session, Licensing Directors from Merck & Co., Inc. will talk to potential licensees to first explain what they are looking for in a company. After the presentation, attendees will have lunch with the Merck team.

Finally, each pre-approved attendee* will be granted a private meeting with Dr. James M. Schaeffer - the Executive Director of Licensing & External Research for Merck Research Laboratories at Merck & Co., Inc. - or Dr. Yael Weiss - the Director of Licensing & External Research for Merck Research Laboratories at Merck & Co., Inc.

Merck & Co., Inc. is interested in:
•Novel patented compounds
•Targets with proof of concept
•Molecules with a defined mechanism of action or testable hypothesis'
•Technologies with patent protection that provide a competitive advantage

Late-stage clinical compounds with proven therapeutic value (phase IIb or beyond) are of interest in any therapeutic area. Merck & Co., Inc., is most interested in novel compounds that have large market potential for unmet medical needs. An attractive compound would have selectivity, potency, a demonstrated mechanism of action, preliminary toxicology data, oral availability, and a good half-life for once-daily administration. We also look for strong intellectual property protection on the target and the molecule.