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Innovation Cup 2027 Teams

Oncology, Immunology & Inflammation, Drug Discovery, Fertility, Synthetic Biology, Advanced Electronics Materials, Climate Change

Teams

At the Innovation Cup, several teams run in parallel, covering the areas described below. Based on interest and expertise, participants choose the fields they are most interested in. Applications for more than one team are possible. We look forward to meeting you in Germany soon!

Eligibility

  • Postgraduate Students pursuing a PhD in one of the following fields: Biology, Medicine, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Computer Sciences, Data Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Engineering, Related fields
  • Postdoctoral Students: Eligible to apply.
  • MBA Students: Advanced MBA students or recent graduates with: an interest in the pharmaceutical business or a background in life sciences
  • Exclusions: The program is not open to healthcare professionals.

Application process

  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2027. You may apply for more than one team.
  • Notification: Applicants will be informed about next steps by early March 2027.
  • Idea Submission: Selected applicants will be invited to submit ideas by early April 2027.
  • Team Selection: Team assignments will be finalized by early May 2027.
  • Event Dates: The summer camp takes place from August 14-20 2027, near Frankfurt, Germany, with all travel, accommodation, and food expenses covered by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
Application Process
Application Process
Application is by a 2-stage process.
Team Oncology Team Oncology

Oncology

Team will work on novel, patient-data-driven cancer targets and best-in-class or next-generation therapies - especially ways to overcome resistance to targeted agents (EGFR, HER2, cMET, KRAS), ADCs and PD-(L)1 checkpoint therapy, and exploring innovative modalities incl. armed antibodies with novel payload mechanisms of action, T cell engagers and small molecule approaches.

Apply now
Synthetic Biology

Immunology & Inflammation

Team  will work on innovative approaches for the treatment of autoimmune diseases of high unmet need

Apply now
Team Immuno-Oncology

Drug discovery

The team will work on innovative approaches to discover, screen, design and optimize new small molecular drugs or protein or nucleic-acid based drugs and their formulations and new innovative discovery tool platforms (e.g. improved protein detection platforms, automated screening).

Apply now
Team Medicinal Chemistry

Fertility

The team will work on innovative approaches to leverage the power of synthetic biology for new tools enabling the scientific community and to create better expression systems and cell culture (e.g. to optimize the synthesis of multi-specific antibodies) or protein engineering improvements (e.g. more specific biomarkers or improved enzymes).

Apply now
Scientist holding pipette Scientist holding pipette

Synthetic Biology

The team will work on innovative approaches to leverage the power of synthetic biology for new tools enabling the scientific community and to discover, screen, design and optimize new protein and nucleic-acid based drugs and their formulations.

Apply now
Team Connected health

advanced electronic materials

The team will work on new material concepts that are integral to producing advanced nodes of logic and memory chiplets for 3D integration into high-performance devices. Innovative materials and methods implement renewable sources, drive the realization of smaller features and energy efficient device function while keeping costs down.

Apply now
Team Climate Change

Climate Change

The team will work on innovative approaches that help to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Apply now