Founded in 1668 in Germany, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company.

Worldwide, around 50,000 employees develop technologies to improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. Every smartphone in the world contains materials supplied by Merck, from materials for LCD and OLED displays, to the materials used in the most cutting-edge memory chips. Merck also leads on the development of the next generation of solar photovoltaic technology.

“I am very excited about the future opportunities for our operations at Southampton Science Park as they continue to expand to support Merck’s position as a leading science and technology company. Some £10m per year is specifically channelled from technology developed at our Chilworth laboratories by Merck into R&D in the UK so there is a continual cycle of investment, future-proofing Merck’s presence and commitment here.” 
Merck Global Platform R&D Director, Dr Owen Lozman

“We know how important it is to offer high quality space for research as well as offices, which is why we created our Science Centre with easy in-easy out laboratories for fledgling companies and more expansive space for established ones. Merck’s Innovation Hub expansion into our Science Centre is testament to the continued strength and relevance of the Merck business. It also marks a new era of greater integration with the growing Science Park community which I expect will bring many exciting collaborative developments to the fore.”
Southampton Science Park CEO, Peter Birkett

Merck in the community

Merck designed and built its Chilworth Innovation Hub at Southampton Science Park in 2000. With a multinational team, it has played an active role as part of the Science Park community ever since, sponsoring events and fostering open innovation. In 2017 Merck expanded operations here with the opening of new laboratories in our Science Centre, forming one of the company’s most significant performance materials R&D sites globally.