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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Cooperation with Merck to promote innovation in Serbia

Belgrade, 17 April 2024

Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation Jelena Begovic and Head of Mid Europe Healthcare at Merck and Senior Vice President Francois Feig signed today a Memorandum of Understanding, which is important for the continuation of strategic cooperation with the BIO4 Campus and confirmation of partnership in the field of biomedicine and biotechnology in Serbia and science in general.

"We are extremely pleased today that Merck, one of the most important science and technology companies, has joined our efforts to establish a new scientific research centre in Europe through the BIO4 Campus right here in Serbia. The Serbian government and Merck will work together to make Serbia internationally recognised in the field of bioeconomy, and to improve diagnostics and access to innovative treatments for our citizens, as well as for people worldwide, through the development of medicine, " said Begovic, emphasising the global significance of Merck and its contribution to science and innovation for over more than 350 years.

The Minister thanked Merck for continually introducing innovations in Serbia, for having donated around €1 million in Serbia over the past decade solely for the treatment of oncology patients, confirming its commitment to our country.

"We are proud to lay the foundation today with the Serbian government for future innovations in this part of Europe, and to continuously pursuit our purpose "To help create, improve and prolong lives – as one for patients" in Serbia through this close collaboration”, Feig said and added, "We are pleased to see Serbia's acceleration in biotechnological and biomedical research, which we believe will significantly enhance and reshape our world."

During the signing, projects that will contribute to the advancement of scientific research and the promotion of innovation, investment in scientists, their development, and strengthening international cooperation, thereby contributing to further progress in science and technology in the country were presented.

Merck is dedicated to science and technology and will work with the Serbian government to bring its resources closer to scientists in Serbia. Thus, part of the Memorandum includes the company's global projects dedicated to the development of science.

Our scientific community will have the opportunity to participate in the Future Insight Conference, which brings together many Nobel laureates and innovators from around the world every year. In 2018, Merck committed at this conference to award the Future Insight Prize for the best scientific project contributing to innovations in science worth €1 million for the next 35 years.

Additionally, the Innovation Cup project brings together students and postgraduates from around the world to meet at Merck's headquarters to learn from professionals, network, develop business plans, and compete for a cash prize. The Memorandum also encompasses the Curiosity Cube project, a mobile laboratory with interactive experiments that enables elementary school students to ask questions and discuss future career opportunities in scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) fields, as well as collaboration opportunities with Merck Life Science business sector, which produces laboratory materials and equipment necessary for scientific research and development.

The Memorandum will have a positive impact on positioning the BIO4 Campus, the largest individual investment in science in Serbia to date. The BIO4 Campus represents a unique interdisciplinary campus in the wider region, and the name BIO4 refers to the fusion of biomedicine, biotechnology, bioinformatics, and biodiversity. The construction of the BIO4 Campus began in December 2023, and it is expected to be operational by the end of 2026.

Merck is a leading science and technology company, which operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. Around 63,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2023, Merck generated sales of € 21 billion in 65 countries.

Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck’s technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare, and EMD Electronics in electronics.