Capital to move forward.
A $100,000 USD SAFE investment from Merck GHI and regional partners supports your next step.
An accelerator for digital biopharma
Great science.
Bold founders.
What’s next?
Nine months. Scientific expertise. Capital for your next step. Build at the intersection of digital technology and biopharma—with a new focus on precision medicine.
Discover the programApplications open October 1, 2026.
9 monthsFocused accelerator program
$100kUSD SAFE investment
56Companies in our community
The program
Your next milestone.
More than capital.
Investment, scientific insight and business mentoring come together in one nine-month program for early-stage digital biopharma founders.
Expertise that gets you.
Work with Merck specialists and Centech advisors on the scientific and business questions that matter to your company.
Build your business.
Develop your value proposition and market strategy with guidance from industry leaders and investors.
Go further, together.
Connect with fellow founders, alumni and corporate innovators. Share knowledge as your company grows.
What could nine months of focused support make possible for your company?
Inside the program
Where digital meets biopharma
Better questions.
More possibilities.
From the first research hypothesis to a more precise understanding of patient needs. Explore where your technology could make a difference.
01Drug discoveryFind targets. Prioritize promising candidates.02Pre-clinical developmentBuild models. Generate stronger evidence.03Clinical developmentConnect data with development decisions.04Precision medicineNew focus: biomarkers, diagnostics and targeted approaches.
Explore our focus areas The Studio portfolio
Small teams.
Extraordinary ambition.
Discover the companies turning new approaches in science and technology into their next chapter.
Explore all 56 companiesA closer look at the 2026 cohort12 companies. New possibilities.
Cohort 2026↗
DropGenie
Miniaturizing biology to power faster, autonomous discovery of new therapeutics.
Cohort 2026↗
Externa
Unlocking synthetic amino acids at scale to create next-gen therapeutics.
Cohort 2026↗
Whelix
Automating cell culture with intelligent robotics to boost scalability, consistency, and speed in life science research.
The power of partnership
Five partners.
More ways
forward.
Scientific insight. Startup experience. Capital to take the next step.
A connected network of support across the United States and Canada.
Explore the program
Scientific expertiseMerckAccess to specialists and a global scientific network.
InvestmentMerck Global Health Innovation FundSAFE investment in collaboration with regional partners.
Entrepreneurial supportCentechPersonalized mentoring from experienced startup advisors.
Regional investment · CanadaCQDMConnecting Canadian innovation with program investment.
Regional investment · United StatesThe Venture CollectiveSupporting program investment for US-based founders.Different perspectives. Shared purpose.
Innovation needs
all of us.
We welcome founders from every background. A wider range of experiences brings new questions, new ideas and new ways to advance science.
MDSS supports diversity across its portfolio and the wider startup community.
Explore Studio events ↗Your next chapter
See where your
ambition fits.
Explore the program, the 2027 priorities and our growing focus on precision medicine.
Connect with MDSS
Your next step starts
with a conversation.
Building a company, exploring the program or looking to contribute? Tell us what you have in mind.
Let’s talk Founders · Partners · Mentors