Merck (NYSE:MRK) and Mayo Clinic, the world’s top-ranked hospital system, announced a new research and development agreement on February 18, 2026, to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics into drug discovery. The collaboration will combine Mayo Clinic’s extensive clinical insights, genomic data, and Platform architecture with Merck’s AI and machine learning research capabilities. Initially focusing on inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis, and multiple sclerosis, the agreement will leverage Mayo Clinic Platform—which provides direct access to its clinical and scientific expertise, platform data, advanced AI tools, and analytics—and marks Mayo Clinic’s first strategic collaboration of this scale with a global biopharmaceutical company. “By combining Mayo Clinic Platform’s de-identified data, clinical expertise and Platform technology with Merck’s world-class research and development capabilities, we are poised to speed innovative breakthroughs to patients and redefine drug development,” said Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., president and CEO, Mayo Clinic.
Merck and Mayo Clinic Launch AI-Driven Drug Discovery Collaboration
Merck and Mayo Clinic have embarked on a groundbreaking research and development collaboration, poised to redefine drug discovery through the power of artificial intelligence. Central to this effort is Mayo Clinic Platform_Orchestrate, which provides Merck direct access to Mayo Clinic’s world-class clinical and scientific expertise; platform data including de-identified clinical and multimodal datasets, including laboratory results, medical imaging, and genomic information.
This wealth of data will be crucial for validating AI models and translating research into tangible development strategies. “New cutting-edge technologies are enhancing our ability to innovate with the potential to bring important new therapies to patients faster,” said Robert M. Davis, chairman and CEO, Merck. Initially, the collaboration will concentrate on three high-need therapeutic areas: Gastroenterology (specifically inflammatory bowel disease), Dermatology (atopic dermatitis), and Neurology (multiple sclerosis).
The focus on these specialties reflects the potential for advanced analytics and multimodal approaches to yield more effective, tailored treatments. “This collaboration represents a new present and future for healthcare—one where platform-based collaboration leads to more answers, more cures and better outcomes for patients worldwide.”
Mayo Clinic Platform_Orchestrate Enables Multimodal Data Access
The landscape of drug discovery and precision medicine is rapidly evolving, driven by the increasing availability of complex datasets and the power of artificial intelligence. Currently, researchers often face significant hurdles accessing and integrating the diverse data types – genomic information, imaging results, clinical notes, and laboratory findings – necessary to build robust AI models. This fragmentation slows progress and limits the potential for truly personalized therapies.
Mayo Clinic is addressing this challenge with the new Mayo Clinic Platform_Orchestrate program, which provides Merck direct access to Mayo Clinic’s world-class clinical and scientific expertise; platform data including de-identified clinical and multimodal data sets, registries and biorepositories; advanced AI tools and analytics; and the ability to scale solutions. “By working with Mayo Clinic, we aim to integrate high-quality clinical data and AI-enabled insights into discovery research to improve target identification and, ultimately, the probability of success for our programs.” This collaboration signifies a shift toward platform-based partnerships, with the ultimate goal of accelerating the development of more effective and tailored treatments.
New cutting-edge technologies are enhancing our ability to innovate with the potential to bring important new therapies to patients faster. By working with Mayo Clinic, we aim to integrate high-quality clinical data and AI-enabled insights into discovery research to improve target identification and, ultimately, the probability of success for our programs.
Robert M. Davis, chairman and CEO, Merck
Initial Focus: IBD, Atopic Dermatitis, Multiple Sclerosis
Merck, the pharmaceutical giant, is collaborating with Mayo Clinic to leverage artificial intelligence in the pursuit of novel therapies, beginning with a targeted approach to three debilitating conditions. Mayo Clinic Platform_Orchestrate will provide Merck with direct access to Mayo Clinic’s world-class clinical and scientific expertise; platform data including de-identified clinical and multimodal data sets, registries and biorepositories; advanced AI tools and analytics; and the ability to scale solutions. This isn’t simply a data-sharing exercise; the collaboration aims to harness Mayo Clinic’s expertise alongside Merck’s AI capabilities to accelerate drug discovery.
Merck will utilize Mayo Clinic’s extensive multimodal data—incorporating laboratory results, medical imaging, clinical notes, and molecular data—to validate AI models and refine research strategies. The initiative builds upon Merck’s existing investments in AI and machine learning, encompassing computational and spatial biology, and real-world data analysis.
Merck’s AI/ML Investments Support Evidence-Based Development
Merck’s strategic collaboration with Mayo Clinic isn’t simply about adopting artificial intelligence; it’s a concerted effort to ground AI-driven drug discovery in robust, real-world clinical data. The agreement will leverage Mayo Clinic Platform—a secure environment integrating data from its U.S. and international network—to validate AI models and accelerate the translation of research into tangible therapies. Merck will directly access clinical and genomic datasets, including AI and machine learning (ML)-enabled discoveries in computational and spatial biology, through the new Mayo Clinic Platform_Orchestrate program, which provides direct access. This access extends to de-identified clinical data, registries, and biorepositories, alongside advanced analytical tools.
Robert M. Davis, chairman and CEO, Merck. The move aligns with Merck’s wider investment in AI/ML, including AI foundation models and real-world data analysis, prioritizing evidence-based development.
