The Merck Guangdong Innovation Hub is officially launched on Nov 15 in Guangzhou International Bio Island. [Photo by Deng Bo/ycwb.com]

The Merck Guangdong Innovation Hub, the first of its kind invested by Merck Group in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, was officially launched on Nov 15 in Guangzhou International Bio Island.

Merck Group, which was founded in 1668, is a pharmaceutical and chemical company with the longest history in the world. Currently, Merck is a global leading science and technology company focusing on healthcare, life sciences, and performance materials. 

The innovation hub in Guangzhou is expected to focus on the latest technologies and innovation projects in healthcare, life sciences, and performance materials, as well as other emerging scientific and technological industries, bringing new technologies and solutions to the market.

During the launch ceremony, the innovation hub signed strategic cooperation contracts with the Guangzhou Sino-Israel Bio Industry Incubation Center and the Shenzhen International Institute for Biomedical Research. 

"Merck hopes to work together with start-ups, academic institutions, and industry insiders in the Greater Bay Area and establish an innovation system," said Sun Zhengjie, managing director of the Merck Guangdong Innovation Hub.

Merck has set up a seed fund of 100 million yuan ($14.25 million), benefiting start-ups and local innovators in the Greater Bay Area.

"The Greater Bay Area is one of Merck's most important strategic areas in China," said An Gaobo, CEO of Merck China. "Merck is confident in promoting the development of the Greater Bay Area with Guangzhou Development District and boost the transformation of China's economy into an innovation-driven economy."

The Merck Guangdong Innovation Hub is expected to focus on the latest technologies and innovation projects in healthcare, life sciences, and performance materials, as well as other emerging scientific and technological industries. [Photo by Deng Bo/ycwb.com]