MDSSMerck Digital Science
Studio
An accelerator for digital biopharma

Great science.
Bold founders.
What’s next?

Nine months of support. Business mentoring. Scientific expertise. Capital for your next step. Build your company at the intersection of digital technology and biopharma—with a growing focus on precision medicine.

Discover the program
Applications for the MDSS 2027 cohort open October 1, 2026.
Scientists reviewing research notes together at a laboratory computer
Expanding our focus

Precision medicine.
New questions. New possibilities.

9 monthsFocused accelerator program
$100kUSD SAFE investment
56Companies in our community
The program

Your next milestone.
More than capital.

Investment, scientific insight and business mentoring come together in one nine-month program for digital biopharma startups.

01 / Investment

Capital to move forward.

A $100,000 USD SAFE investment from Merck GHI and regional partners to support your next step.

02 / Mentoring

Expertise that gets you.

Work with Merck specialists and Centech advisors on the scientific and business questions that matter to your company.

03 / Workshops

Build your business.

Strengthen your value proposition and market strategy with guidance from industry leaders and investors.

04 / Community

Go further, together.

Connect with fellow founders, alumni and corporate innovators. Share knowledge as your company grows.

What could nine months of focused support make possible for your company?

Inside the program
Two scientists examining research images on a laptop in a laboratory
Where digital meets biopharma

Every stage of a medicine
has a problem worth solving.

From the first research hypothesis to a more precise understanding of patient needs. Explore where your technology could make a difference.

01Drug discoveryFind targets. Prioritize promising candidates.02Pre-clinical developmentBuild models. Generate stronger evidence.03Clinical developmentConnect data with development decisions.
Explore our focus areas
Cohort 2027Three pillars. Explore what’s next. ↗
The Studio portfolio

Small teams.
Extraordinary ambition.

Discover the companies turning new approaches in science and technology into their next chapter.

Explore all 56 companies
A closer look at the 2026 cohort12 companies. New possibilities.
Cohort 2026↗

Whelix

Automating cell culture with intelligent robotics to boost scalability, consistency, and speed in life science research.

Meet the company
Meet the complete 2026 cohort
The power of partnership

Five partners.
More ways
forward.

Scientific insight. Startup experience. Capital to take the next step.

A connected network of support across the United States and Canada.

Explore the program
Scientific expertiseMerckAccess to Merck teams and a global scientific network.InvestmentMerck Global Health Innovation FundSAFE investment in collaboration with regional partners.Official operator of the programCentechPersonalized support from experienced startup advisors.Regional investment · CanadaCQDMConnecting Canadian innovation with program investment.Regional investment · United StatesThe Venture CollectiveSupporting program investment for US-based founders.
Different perspectives. Shared purpose.

Innovation needs
all of us.

We welcome founders from every background. A wider range of experiences brings new questions, new ideas and new ways to advance science.

MDSS supports diversity across its portfolio and the wider startup community.

Connect with MDSS

Your next step starts
with a conversation.

Building a company, exploring the program or looking to contribute? Tell us what you have in mind.

Let’s talk Founders · Partners · Mentors