On August 6, New York City played host to the Merck Digital Sciences Studio (MDS Studio) Graduation Showcase, an event that celebrated the innovative spirit and achievements of 12 companies from the second MDS Studio cohort. MDS Studio is a collaboration between Merck, Merck Global Health Innovation Fund, Northpond Ventures, McKesson Ventures, Microsoft for Startups, and the New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII). This event not only marked the culmination of a 10-month journey for these startups, but also provided a platform to pitch their cutting-edge technologies to a room filled with potential investors, including pharma/biotech executives and other industry leaders.
The companies featured at the showcase—Aperture Bio, DeepSeq.ai, Serinus Bio, VCreate, Ascent Bio, E9 Genomics, Prism.bio, Providentia Technologies, Brainify.ai, dannce.ai, Orbits Oncology, and Readout AI—each brought unique and disruptive solutions to the forefront of digital biopharma. Their innovations ranged from advanced genomic software systems to AI-driven drug discovery and the development of novel cancer therapies. Over the 10-month program, the MDS Studio accelerator provided these startups with mentorship, coaching, training, support, community, and investment. The program offered investment via a $150,000 SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) and access to Microsoft’s Founders Hub resources, including up to $150,000 in Azure compute credits.
Throughout the event, the startups not only presented their pitches but also engaged in mini panels grouped by their current development stage: Discovery, Acceleration, or Clinical. This allowed for deeper discussions and insights tailored to their specific growth challenges and opportunities.
Following the formal presentations, a reception allowed for further networking and relationship-building, providing an opportunity for deeper engagement and potential collaborations. The atmosphere was one of excitement and optimism, with many attendees expressing enthusiasm about the prospects of the showcased companies. The showcase was not just a celebration but also a testament to the collaborative environment fostered by the MDS Studio. NJII Vice President of Entrepreneurship, Michael van Ter Sluis noted, “the MDS Studio has created such a rich ecosystem of innovators. It was a treat to see that network come to life and our teams thriving…”
The MDS Studio Graduation Showcase highlighted emerging technologies poised to impact digital drug discovery and development. As the participating startups continue their journeys, they carry the potential to transform the biopharma landscape with their innovative solutions.
NJII is a proud partner of MDS Studio and shares a profound interest in building a future for small businesses in the biotech and biopharmaceutical industries. To learn more about how NJII is assisting startups and small business, you can view our Entrepreneurship Division webpage.