Since 2018, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany hosts the Compound Challenge, a competition to identify the best submitted synthetic route for a given small molecule as determined by, but not limited to

• number of synthesis steps
• obtained yield
• achieved purity
• feasibility of subsequent steps not performed

The competition is open to scientists of all career levels from around the world. After a 48 hour sprint to develop a synthetic route, in which all teams are given access to SYNTHIA™ to utilize during the competition, the routes undergo review to determine the top routes which will be tested in a wet lab. The team with the best route wins a prize of EUR 10,000. 

For the 5th Compound Challenge:

• All participants will have access to Synthia™.
• The teams will have the ability to update their routes once their route hits a point of failure. This will allow for an experience that more emulates the process in lab.
• Participation certificates will be provided to the top 20 teams.
• Registration for the 5th compound challenge is open September 6th, 2023 – October 27th, 2023.

Registration for the 5th Compound Challenge is now closed.

Anyone from around the world may participate, as an individual or in a team where not prohibited by local or country law. Individuals or teams may choose to opt-out of receiving the prize money if required to do so by their organization. This challenge is not open to Health Care Professionals.

• Submit your own (single applicant) or your team's (team application) completed registration by filling out the online registration form available online here.
• One week before the molecule release, all participants will receive access to Synthia as well as informational videos to allow familiarization with the program.
• We provide the structure of a small molecule to all registered participants on the same date and time.
• The evaluation rubric to be used in the peer review will be released at the same time as the challenge molecule.
• Participants have 48 hrs. to generate and submit the synthetic route to the platform.
• All obtained synthesis routes are anonymized, and each participant is assigned to evaluate several of these anonymized routes. This determines the top 50 routes.
• We select the top 3 best evaluated routes, using an internally appointed jury, to be tested in an actual chemical synthesis with a contract research organisation (CRO) of our choice.
• Upon all routes reaching a point of failure, finalists are given a chance to review their route with information obtained from the CRO.
• The final winner will be selected by evaluating the chemical synthesis based on, but not limited to, number of successful synthesis steps, the obtained yield, the achieved purity, as well as the feasibility of subsequent steps not performed.
• Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany does not attempt to commercialize any of the submitted synthetic routes.