Merck (NYSE:MRK) said it launched Merck Digital Sciences Studio (MDSS) to generate technologies for drug discovery and development.
The Kenilworth, N.J.-based company said MDSS will support early-stage biomedical startups with direct investment, access to Azure Cloud computing and opportunities to pilot their technologies in collaboration with scientists at Merck.
Merck added that startups developing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications will get priority as it opened applications for 12 spots for the first MDSS group.
MDSS is a collaboration between Merck and the New Jersey Innovation Institute.