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Merck

North America, New Jersey, United States, Rahway

Description

The Merck Global Health Innovation Fund (GHIF) serves as the strategic corporate venture capital arm of Merck & Co., Inc., headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. Established to identify and invest in innovative companies that are transforming healthcare delivery, GHIF plays a crucial role in expanding Merck's reach beyond its traditional pharmaceutical and vaccine development. Its investment thesis is deeply aligned with the parent company's broader mission to improve patient outcomes and advance global health.

GHIF primarily focuses on early to growth-stage companies, targeting sectors such as digital health, health information technology, diagnostics, and medical devices. This strategic focus allows Merck to gain insights into emerging healthcare trends and technologies that complement its core business areas. The fund seeks out solutions that can enhance patient engagement, improve clinical workflows, optimize healthcare costs, and provide novel diagnostic capabilities, thereby creating a robust ecosystem of innovation around Merck's pharmaceutical offerings.

In terms of investment size, the Merck Global Health Innovation Fund typically provides first checks ranging from approximately $5 million to $25 million. This range reflects its participation in various stages, from leading Series A rounds to significant participation in Series B or later-stage growth rounds. Since its inception in 2010, GHIF has demonstrated a strong commitment to the healthcare innovation landscape, having invested in over 60 companies. These investments underscore its long-term perspective and dedication to fostering groundbreaking advancements in healthcare.

GHIF's approach is not merely financial; it often involves strategic partnerships and collaborations, leveraging Merck's extensive industry expertise, global network, and scientific resources to support its portfolio companies. This value-add proposition helps accelerate the development and adoption of new healthcare solutions, reinforcing Merck's position at the forefront of medical innovation and its commitment to shaping the future of health.

Investor Profile

Merck has backed more than 24 startups, with 2 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 6 rounds, about 25% of its total and boasts 10 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series A, Seed, Series Unknown rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, China, Austria.
  • Strong thematic focus on Health Care, Biotechnology, Medical.
  • Led 1 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $5M – $25M.

Stage Focus

  • Series A (29%)
  • Seed (13%)
  • Series Unknown (13%)
  • Series E (8%)
  • Series B (8%)
  • Post Ipo Equity (8%)
  • Series D (4%)
  • Private Equity (4%)
  • Series C (4%)
  • Grant (4%)

Country Focus

  • United States (63%)
  • China (8%)
  • Austria (4%)
  • Mexico (4%)
  • India (4%)
  • Canada (4%)
  • Switzerland (4%)
  • United Kingdom (4%)
  • Thailand (4%)

Industry Focus

  • Health Care
  • Biotechnology
  • Medical
  • Therapeutics
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Genetics
  • Information Technology
  • Biopharma
  • Health Diagnostics
  • Life Science
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Merck frequently co-invest with?

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 2
Lionheart Ventures
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 1
AAF Management Ltd.
North America, District of Columbia, United States, Washington
Co-Investments: 1
Force Over Mass Capital
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 1
Pioneer Fund
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 1
Telefonica
Europe, Madrid, Spain, Madrid
Co-Investments: 1
EQT Ventures
Europe, Stockholms Lan, Sweden, Stockholm
Co-Investments: 1
Village Global
North America, California, United States, Covina
Co-Investments: 1
Lilly Asia Ventures
Asia, Shanghai, China, Shanghai
Co-Investments: 4
ARCH Venture Partners
North America, Illinois, United States, Chicago
Co-Investments: 6

Which angels does Merck often collaborate with?

MM
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
OT
North America, California, United States
Shared Deals: 1
ER
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
Juha Paananen
Asia, Singapore
Shared Deals: 1
David Langer
North America, California, United States
Shared Deals: 1
JB
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 1
PR
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Merck?

HD

Bangkok, Krung Thep, Thailand

HD offers healthcare financing solutions to increase access to affordable care and surgeries.

Financial ServicesHealth CareHospital
Series AFeb 12, 2025
Amount Raised: $7,800,000
Personalis

Menlo Park, California, United States

Personalis is a contract research organization and genome-scale diagnostics services company specializing in genome guided medicine.

BiotechnologyGeneticsHealth CareHealth Diagnostics
Post Ipo EquityDec 19, 2024
Amount Raised: $50,000,000
Friends of Puerto Rico

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Friends of Puerto Rico is a non-partisan, non-profit social impact organization.

Non ProfitSustainability
GrantMay 27, 2024
Amount Raised: $190,000
Prognos Health

New York, New York, United States

Prognos Health creates a healthcare analytics platform that uses patient-level data to generate clinical insights.

AnalyticsHealth CareHealth Diagnostics
Series UnknownMay 4, 2023
Amount Raised: $23,288,367
Mamotest

Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico

AI Digital solution transforming care delivery by democratizing access to screening & diagnosis while providing efficient path to treatment.

Health Care
SeedMar 27, 2023
Amount Raised: $3,300,000
Qure AI

Andheri, Maharashtra, India

Qure AI is a healthcare technology company that provides automated interpretation of radiology exams and ultrasounds scans.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Health CareHealth DiagnosticsMachine LearningMedical Device
Series CMar 30, 2022
Amount Raised: $40,000,000
Seagen

Bothell, Washington, United States

Seagen is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to improving patient outcomes with advanced antibody-drug conjugate technology.

BiotechnologyHealth CarePharmaceuticalTherapeutics
Post Ipo EquitySep 14, 2020
Amount Raised: $1,000,000,000
Zapata Computing

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Zapata Computing is a quantum software company that offers computing solutions for industrial and commercial use.

ComputerQuantum ComputingSoftware
Series BAug 28, 2020
Amount Raised: $2,953,116
Themis Bioscience

Vienna, Wien, Austria

Themis Bioscience is a start-up biotechnology company.

BiotechnologyClinical TrialsHealth Care
Series DSep 18, 2019
Amount Raised: $44,117,971
Mesentech

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Mesentech is a company focused on treating diseases and medical conditions that relate to bone.

BiotechnologyHealth CareMedicalTherapeutics
SeedMay 24, 2019