Global – December 31, 2025 — Merck & Co., Inc. significantly expanded its commitment to artificial intelligence (AI) throughout 2025, allocating approximately $300 million toward AI platforms, strategic collaborations, and enterprise‑wide digital initiatives. These efforts reflect Merck’s strategic focus on enhancing drug discovery, optimizing clinical development, and strengthening commercialization capabilities, positioning the company for accelerated impact in 2026 and beyond.
AI Investment Priorities in 2025
Merck’s AI strategy in 2025 focused on three key enterprise domains:
• AI‑Powered Discovery and Translational Science
Merck deployed advanced AI and machine learning models to analyze multi‑omic and real‑world datasets, enabling the prioritization of novel targets and the rapid optimization of lead candidates. These AI‑driven insights supported early‑stage research and reduced timeframes to candidate selection.
• Predictive Clinical Development
AI tools were integrated into adaptive trial design, predictive patient stratification, and digital endpoint analytics to enhance the reliability of clinical outcomes and improve operational efficiency across oncology, immunology, and infectious disease programs.
• Commercial Analytics and Market Access
Merck enhanced its commercialization engine with AI‑driven market analytics, payer segmentation, and forecasting tools that facilitated evidence generation and strategic market positioning for key assets.
Across discovery, development, and commercialization functions, Merck’s AI deployment in 2025 totaled approximately $300 million, signaling a shift from ad hoc experimentation to enterprise‑wide adoption.
Key AI Partnerships and Strategic Deals in 2025
Merck enhanced its AI capabilities through several high‑impact collaborations and agreements:
1. Collaboration for Mechanistic AI Modeling
Merck entered into a multi‑project collaboration with a leading AI platform provider to co‑develop mechanistic models that improve translational prediction and support target validation across both small molecule and biologic modalities.
2. Strategic Agreement on Real‑World Evidence Analytics
The company partnered with a data analytics consortium to integrate large real‑world datasets into AI platforms, strengthening outcome prediction, post‑market safety surveillance, and payer evidence generation across therapeutic areas.
3. Adaptive Clinical AI Tool Deployment
Merck signed an agreement to implement advanced machine learning systems that support adaptive trial simulation and informed cohort selection, with the goal of increasing trial success probability and operational agility.
4. Cloud and Compute Expansion for AI Workloads
An infrastructure deal with a major cloud provider expanded Merck’s high‑performance computing capacity for complex machine learning, enabling scalable AI training across discovery and clinical analytics.
These collaborations demonstrate Merck’s hybrid approach — blending internal expertise with external technological leadership — to maximize AI’s impact across the value chain.
Looking Ahead: Impact in 2026 and Beyond
Merck expects its strategic AI investment to deliver tangible benefits in 2026:
- Accelerated Translational Insights: AI‑enhanced models are expected to compress timelines from target identification to development candidate nomination.
- Optimized Clinical Programs: Predictive stratification and adaptive analytics are expected to improve trial design and reduce operational complexity.
- Smarter Commercial Strategy: AI‑generated real‑world evidence and forecasting will support differentiated payer engagement and product positioning.
As data complexity continues to grow, Merck’s enterprise‑level AI capability is expected to provide distinct strategic advantages in scientific insight, clinical execution, and market readiness.
Conclusion
Merck’s $300 million AI investment in 2025, reinforced through targeted deals and collaborations, underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging AI across discovery, development, and commercialization. By embedding AI into core processes and working with leading technology partners, Merck is positioning itself to accelerate therapeutic innovation and deliver meaningful impact to patients as it heads into 2026 and beyond.
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