Discovery through intelligent multitasking: Science powered by AI

June 2026

Did you know that large language models (LLMs) can serve as highly capable multitaskers?

These are advanced artificial intelligence systems trained on vast amounts of text data, enabling them to understand, generate and interact using human-like language across a wide range of topics. Today’s household names for LLMs, or rather the systems you might be familiar with, could be Google Gemini, ChatGPT or Deepseek. When configured as AI agents, LLMs can perform multiple tasks in parallel, with each being tailored to a specific function. At MSD Research Labs (MRL), this capability is helping researchers stay focused on what matters most: advancing critical drug discovery and development.

In today’s data-rich research environment, AI agents are proving to be invaluable partners. They assist scientists in navigating complex datasets, refining hypotheses, and executing both routine and specialised tasks with remarkable efficiency. What once required significant time and resources can now be streamlined, freeing up researchers to concentrate on high-impact work.

A long-standing aspiration in the field of artificial intelligence is the creation of systems that can independently learn, reason, and contribute to scientific breakthroughs, what some refer to as an “AI scientist”. While this vision remains firmly in the future, recent progress in agent-based AI is bringing us closer to that horizon. These agents can now coordinate large language models, machine learning (ML) tools, and other technologies to form dynamic, conversable systems capable of reflective learning and reasoning.

Rather than replacing human expertise, AI enhances it. By breaking down complex challenges into manageable subtasks, AI agents can take on roles that support targeted problem-solving and the integration of scientific knowledge. One of their greatest strengths lies in automation: repetitive tasks such as data cleaning or initial analysis are efficiently handled by AI, allowing scientists to focus on strategic thinking and innovation.

At MRL, this human-AI collaboration is not just a forward-thinking vision, it’s a reality that’s accelerating the pace of discovery.

GB-NON-11757 | August 2025

Responsibility

Six New Global Grants Reinforce MSD’s Commitment to Maternal Health

May 2026

The UK White Ribbon Alliance becomes an MSD for Mothers Grant Recipient

MSD recently announced the latest recipients of its Global Grants program, as part of MSD for Mothers, the company’s global initiative to help create a world where no woman has to die while giving life. Maternal mortality persists as a reality for too many women, and MSD for Mothers Global Grants are designed to extend access to quality maternal health care around the world by helping address the unique needs of women in local communities.

The six new grantees will support underserved communities in Ireland, Kazakhstan, Romania, Tanzania, Türkiye and the United Kingdom. Each grantee has developed customised interventions tailored to their community’s unique needs, with a shared goal of improving access to, and quality of, maternal health care. Each grantee’s work supports MSD’s Access to Health commitment, within which the company has made a public commitment to advancing solutions for people in low- and middle-income countries, as well as underserved populations in high-income countries.

The White Ribbon Alliance is expanding the UK Free From Harm training, aiming to equip 2,000 maternity care providers to be better able to prevent obstetric violence, strengthen workforce resilience, and improve outcomes for women through trauma-informed, equity-centred care.

Obstetric violence, a form of gender-based violence, manifests through disrespect, coercion, and mistreatment of birthing individuals by healthcare professionals. These harmful practices are often rooted in systemic issues, including patriarchal healthcare systems, racial discrimination, and hierarchical structures. The training was developed to combat these injustices by fostering respectful, trauma-informed, and human-rights-based maternity care. It provides healthcare professionals—particularly midwives—with the tools to identify, prevent, and challenge harmful practices during childbirth.

Since 2012, the MSD for Mothers Global Grants program has contributed nearly $50 million to date, supporting over 90 projects focused on reducing maternal mortality – including through disaster response, innovative digital tools, health education and more – across more than 45 countries.

As MSD continues to integrate access to health into its global business – working alongside governments, nonprofits and communities to strengthen health systems, improve outcomes and build more resilient pathways to care worldwide, these grants represent another critical step toward improving the health and well-being of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the months after.

Find out more about our global MSD for mothers programme and grant award opportunities here.

GB-NON-13007 | May 2026

Our People

Supporting the HIV community and marking World AIDS day

December 2025

Colleagues from across our UK business have been demonstrating their support for the HIV community over the last few months, with a range of activities and initiatives.

20 of our colleagues came together for a volunteering day, organised by our UK Rainbow Alliance Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG), with Positive East – an East London-based charity dedicated to supporting people living with and affected by HIV.

MSD is a proud sponsor of Positive East’s annual RED RUN, which raises awareness and funds for HIV services across the UK. In preparation for the 2025 event, our volunteers made a vital contribution by assembling over 1,800 runner packages to be sent to participants ahead of the big day. They also packed finish line bags filled with medals, and educational resources providing crucial information on HIV and STI testing and access to support services. This marked the third year running that the Rainbow Alliance has partnered with Positive East to offer our colleagues an opportunity to use their volunteering hours and give back to the local community.

A reflection from one of our volunteers:
“Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this volunteering event. It was a wonderful and rewarding day. I’m grateful to have been part of the team and to have supported such a meaningful cause”.

The RED RUN, held annually in Victoria Park in East London, is the UK’s largest HIV community event, supporting 31 HIV charities across the country. 35 colleagues from across our business walked, ran, and even sashayed the 5km or 10km route, alongside another 1,800 people taking part. The inclusive event welcomes all ages and abilities, fostering a spirit of community over competition.

Our colleagues also marked World Aids Day earlier in November with an internal panel focused event that led to engaging conversation on HIV, including shared insights from colleagues and their lived experience. Attendees left with an improved understanding of how to be allies to the HIV and LGBTQ+ community and beyond.

We were lucky enough to be able to display one of the 42 panels of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt in our London Moorgate office, which offered an opportunity for colleagues to reflect, remember and celebrate all lives lost to HIV. The quilt offered a reminder of how far we have come in the fight against HIV, and the work still left to do.

Our Volunteers

UK AIDS Memorial Quilt

GB-NON-12445 | December 2025

Innovation

Inspiring Minds and Driving Equity: MSD’s 5th Hackathon

September 2025

The 5^th edition of the Health Equity hackathon, hosted by MSD’s LEAD (League of Employees of African Descent) UK Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG) network in collaboration with Eli Lilly’s embRACE, brought together curious undergraduates from across the country, to propose innovative solutions to health equity challenges.

Over 70 students from a range of academic and cultural backgrounds brought inspiring enthusiasm and fresh ideas to health equity challenges. They collaborated in small teams, with the support of a facilitator, to propose solutions to address disparities in health equity. Teams worked across 4 themes, including access to healthcare in older adults, the impact of mental health on outcomes, driving diversity in clinical trials and improving health literacy.

Group photo of Hackathon participants and colleagues from MSD and Lilly

After ‘hacking’ their problem statement, students presented solutions to senior leaders from both companies who served as judges. Despite an incredibly high standard, the judges managed to select winners from each theme. These groups then went on to present in the final round in front of a full auditorium, with Ben Lucas (Managing Director, MSD UK and Ireland) and Christopher Stokes (President and General Manager of Lilly, UK and Northern Europe) sitting on the panel as final round judges.

The winning solution won praise for being innovative, inclusive and patient-focused. It addressed the challenge of improving health literacy in underserved and ethnic minority communities to better understand, access, and use health information to achieve better outcomes. The winning team proposed connecting junior/resident doctors to young people aged 11-16 years old. Through creating this ‘Junior to Junior’ connection, their initiative aimed to increase awareness of the health system and build trust in communities.

Excerpt from the winning solution

Selfie with the winning team!

“I was genuinely impressed by the depth of insight and creativity the students brought to their solutions. Their work demonstrated by their strong technical skills and a deep understanding of social impact allowed for innovative, inclusive and patient-focused outcomes to be designed. The diverse, empathetic approaches to health equity and their ability to tackle complex challenges with passionate and energetic actionable ideas were standout qualities. Judging the event was a privilege and a powerful reminder of the value of fresh perspectives in addressing systemic health issues.”

– Jasveen Chugh, Pharmaceuticals Business Unit Director, MSD UK

In addition to raising awareness of the importance of health equity, across the 2-day event, students were also able to gain a real insight into what a career in the pharmaceutical industry can offer them. Through hearing from, and networking with, a range of colleagues from senior leaders to current placement students (some of whom took part in previous hackathons), they gained an understanding of the diversity of roles available for them to apply for.

Post-event networking session

Hackathon co-hosts Fiona Noah (MSD) and Paige Boateng (Lilly)

MSD is proud of the hackathon’s role in empowering and developing future leaders and forming a pipeline of diverse talent; by attending the hackathon, the participants and winning group will be accelerated through both MSD and Lilly’s early talent programme assessment stages.

Fiona Noah and Mauranda Lewis, Co-Lead’s of LEAD UK offered their reflections on the day:

‘As the leaders of LEAD UK, we’re really proud of how this year’s Health Equity Hackathon went. What stood out most was the students’ passion, drive, and tireless effort. Their creativity, determination, and dedication to tackling tough health equity challenges was inspiring and showed the future leaders and innovators in the making.

The quality of ideas, collaborative spirit, and innovative solutions shared throughout the day was truly impressive. It’s amazing to be able to contribute to an initiative that not only sparks innovation but also champions representation and access in healthcare’

Professional photos taken by Esther Akin

GB-NON-11910 | September 2025

Innovation

Sharing Learnings & Best Practice at NHS ConfedExpo

July 2025

MSD at NHS ConfedExpo 2025

NHS ConfedExpo 2025 provided a platform for healthcare leaders and innovators to come together to share learnings and best practices to shape the future of health and care in the UK. Over two days in Manchester, MSD engaged with key stakeholders to share insights, foster collaboration, and showcase how we are supporting the NHS in delivering cutting-edge, patient-centred solutions.

Our Role as a Sponsor

As a sponsor of this year’s NHS ConfedExpo, MSD colleagues showcased our partnership with the NHS through a dedicated stand that highlighted our collaborative efforts to save and improve lives.

MSD Sponsored Sessions: Driving Innovation and Patient-Centred Care

MSD was delighted to host two insightful sessions that sparked meaningful discussions around healthcare innovation and improving patient diagnosis and management:

Exploring Cancer Patient Experience in a Digital World

This session explored the transformative potential of the NHS’s shift from analogue to digital systems, with a focus on enhancing the cancer patient journey. Attendees examined how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can facilitate earlier cancer diagnoses, empower patient self-referrals, and streamline care pathways—ultimately improving patient experiences and outcomes. The discussion included examples of pilot projects within NHS trusts leveraging AI tools to reduce diagnostic delays.

Pathways to Progress: Optimising Diagnosis for Patients with Breathlessness

Breathlessness is a common symptom across conditions, yet it remains frequently under-recognised and poorly managed. MSD’s session highlighted the urgent need to improve diagnostic pathways through collaborative and innovative approaches. The discussion emphasised the importance of streamlined referral processes, enhanced access to diagnostics via Community Diagnostic Centres, and increased awareness of dedicated breathlessness pathways to reduce delays and improve patient outcomes. Aligning with national efforts to shift care from hospitals to community settings, the session underscored the critical role of strong clinical leadership and cross-sector collaboration in creating a more responsive, equitable healthcare system for patients living with breathlessness.

Watch Our Highlights Video

Discover the key insights and takeaways from NHS ConfedExpo 2025 by watching our highlights video on the MSD UK LinkedIn page. Click here to watch.

Learn More

To find out more about MSD’s partnerships and our ongoing initiatives to support healthcare innovation, visit our Partnerships page.

GB-NON-11721 | July 2025

Innovation

MSD to acquire Verona Pharma

July 2025

In a strategic move that strengthens our innovative pipeline of cardio-pulmonary treatments, MSD (tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire, through a subsidiary, Verona Pharma, a UK-based biopharmaceutical company specialising in respiratory diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, MSD will acquire Verona Pharma for $107 per American Depositary Share (ADS)—each representing eight ordinary shares—bringing the total transaction value to approximately $10 billion.

This acquisition aligns with MSD’s science-led business development strategy and reinforces its commitment to addressing unmet medical needs in cardio-pulmonary care.

“This acquisition of Verona Pharma reflects the commitment we have to delivering innovative treatments to patients and our ability to execute on our science-led and value-driven business development strategy,” said Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer, MSD.

“Today’s announced agreement with MSD is the culmination of years of focus and determination by the Verona Pharma team,” said David Zaccardelli, president and chief executive officer, Verona Pharma. “We believe MSD’s commercial footprint and industry-leading clinical capabilities will help accelerate the potential of Verona Pharma to reach more patients. This agreement will enable the strong launch trajectory of our portfolio of medicines and provides value to Verona Pharma shareholders.”

The transaction was unanimously approved by both the MSD and Verona Pharma Boards of Directors and is intended to be effected by way of a scheme of arrangement under UK law. Closing of the proposed acquisition is subject to approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, approval of Verona Pharma shareholders, sanction by the High Court of Justice of England and Wales and other customary conditions. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025.

GB-NON-11649 | July 2025

Responsibility

Solutions for Healthy Communities: new grant round open

February 2025

We believe local organisations and leaders know their communities best, and we are eager to support such organizations to improve access to health for underserved communities around the globe.

The Solutions for Health Communities global grant programme aims to advance access to healthcare for underserved communities through innovative, community-led solutions.

Detailed information about the application process, eligibility criteria, and funding priorities can be found on our website at: MSD.com/SHC, or by clicking the button below.

Learn More

The deadline for applications is 28^th February 2025 and projects will run from January 2026 through December 2027.

UK applicants with queries, please contact grantscommittee@msd.com.

GB-NON-11019 | February 2025

Responsibility

Shining a light on our work in Diversity and Inclusion

March 2024

MSD’s Chief Diversity Officer, Celeste Warren, strives to ensure that our policies and practices provide an equal opportunity for all so that our workforce reflects the diversity of the world. This she says “enables us to better understand the needs of the patients, health care providers and customers we serve,”

And that means embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion at every level of the organisation, a commitment that’s central to our business growth as well as to our employees’ well-being.

At MSD in the UK, our work is more than just scientific: we recognise that we have an important part to play in tackling health disparities to drive improvements in healthcare access and outcomes for patients across the UK.

We believe in creating a more equitable and inclusive society where everyone has the best chance of staying healthy and well, regardless of their background, identity and circumstances.

Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) are at the centre of everything we do and is part of our ways of working. Our employees with shared experiences and their allies come together as Employee Business Resource Groups (EBRG’s). Providing a community and informing change across our business, our EBRGs help everyone at MSD bring their authentic selves to work, and ultimately champion and drive improvements externally in our mission to save and improve lives.

Prioritising diversity and inclusion benefits employees and our business

We’ve made a lot of progress on our diversity and inclusion efforts in our workplace, including:

- Strong membership growth across our 10 EBRGs globally with approximately 21,500 employees who belong to EBRGs, and many of our UK employees are active participants.
- Launch of an internal Ally Resource Centre to provide access to resources and educational materials to support each employee’s D&I learning journey.
- Development of an integrated disability inclusion strategy to create a disability-confident workplace culture where people with disabilities feel accepted, connected and can fully contribute.
- An annual UK Health Equity hackathon, hosted by our LEAD network (League of Employees of African Descent) in collaboration with Eli Lilly’s embRACE brings together over 55 undergraduate students from a range of diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, inviting curious minds to ‘hack’ the problem of health equity, explore potential solutions, and network. As well an increasing awareness of health equity, the event contributes to a pipeline of diverse talent as the winning group are accelerated through the early talent programme assessments.
- Our UK EBRG’s have recently driven the implementation of a new ‘Transitioning At Work’ policy, a new ‘Menopause Policy’ and a mandatory ‘Sexual Harassment’ training programme for all employees
- MSD is proud to be a member of the Patient Information Forum (PIF) and are part of their Trusted Information Creator accreditation scheme (the PIF TICK) – the UK’s only quality mark for health information. We commit that our public-facing materials are produced in line with PIF’s criteria, ensuring that our information is accessible and accurate.

We are on a journey, and are proud to be shining a light on our work so far. Watch our video and follow our stories on social media over the coming weeks.

GB-NON-09023 | February 2024 (approved for continued use February 2026)

Our People

Inspired Through Volunteering

September 2023

From gardening at the Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton to volunteering at the British Transplant Games in Coventry, individuals and teams across MSD reach out to support charities and not-for profit organisations. We asked what inspired them…

Team Gardening

The Corporate Affairs Team took the opportunity to give back when they undertook a half day of gardening at the Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton – a place where the Centre’s patients and families spend time enjoying the allotment’s sea views, vegetable garden and flowers.

“We saw a huge change in the allotment in just one morning and knowing that the Horizon Centre’s patients and families can now enjoy the refreshed allotment for the whole summer is inspiring. We were incredibly lucky with the weather on the day. In total we volunteered for 66 hours in just one morning, that’s over two weeks of full-time work for one gardener!”

When it Comes to Animals

Members of Animal Health’s Equine Team found the perfect place to provide a helping hand. The team utilised their hours volunteering at the World Horse Welfare , the largest centre of its kind in the UK. Starting off with a tour of the facility learning about the rehabilitation and re-homing process for the horses, their day was then spent weeding, cleaning and re- filling water troughs – there are 120 horses onsite!

“Volunteering at World Horse Welfare was a great opportunity for our team to continue to build our strong team culture whilst supporting the equine industry. The day helped us get closer to them as a charity, whose equine health and welfare work share many of the values we do at MSD.”

Going for Gold

Having undergone a kidney transplant two years ago, one of our employees joined the Transplant Sport Northern Ireland (TSNI) charity during his recovery. This year, he helped to raise awareness and promote the life-saving impact of organ transplants by leading the NI team at the British Transplant Games in Coventry. He helped organize logistics and training to take a group of transplanted patients of all ages to Coventry to compete in the Games, as well as taking the chance to compete in the swimming.

“The Games’ main aim is to encourage patients to regain fitness after their transplant and help persuade more people to join the UK donor register. To celebrate the gift of transplant through sport was fantastic. It is also a great way to showcase how organ donation can be truly lifesaving. The Transplant Sport Northern Ireland Team came away with 13 Gold, 9 Silver and 8 Bronze medals this year alongside a lot of great memories.”

Clearing the Environment

The Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance teams wanted to find a volunteering opportunity to both support the community’s well being and do something good for the environment. What better way than doing some litter picking at Burgess Park with Southwark Council!

“Parks have a positive impact on people’s mental health (as we saw especially during the pandemic) so creating this clearer environment allowed us to give back to a local community which does not have the resources to focus on litter pollution. Preventing dangerous items polluting natural habitats also protects and enhances biodiversity in the park.”

MSD encourages all employees to volunteer in the community granting 40 hours paid leave each year. Hundreds of hours are racked up giving back in varied roles, and so many stories are shared of how truly inspiring they find the experience.

GB-NON-08076 | September 2023 | Approved for continued use Aug 2025

Discovery through intelligent multitasking: Science powered by AI

Did you know that large language models (LLMs) can serve as highly capable multitaskers?

Six New Global Grants Reinforce MSD’s Commitment to Maternal Health

Supporting the HIV community and marking World AIDS day

Inspiring Minds and Driving Equity: MSD’s 5th Hackathon

Sharing Learnings & Best Practice at NHS ConfedExpo

MSD at NHS ConfedExpo 2025

MSD to acquire Verona Pharma

Solutions for Healthy Communities: new grant round open

We believe local organisations and leaders know their communities best, and we are eager to support such organizations to improve access to health for underserved communities around the globe.

Shining a light on our work in Diversity and Inclusion

Prioritising diversity and inclusion benefits employees and our business

Inspired Through Volunteering

Forward-looking statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA