erusalem, Israel, February 6, 2018 – Merck, a leading science and technology company, today inaugurated a new technology innovation laboratory at its subsidiary Qlight Nanotech in Jerusalem, hosted on the Hebrew University’s Edmund J. Safra Campus. This emphasizes Merck’s commitment to Israel and the collaboration with the Hebrew University, with the aim to expand its development efforts in nanotechnologies and materials.

Qlight Nanotech was established through Yissum, the technology transfer company of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, partnering Prof. Uri Banin of The Hebrew University and Merck, and supported by the Israel Innovation Authority. It was fully acquired by Merck in mid-2015 to support Merck’s development in liquid crystal display materials and its growing presence in OLED materials.
“We are very happy to be present in Israel one of the world’s most advanced technology hotspots,” said Dr. Kai Beckmann, CEO of Performance Materials & member of Merck’s Executive Board.

Qlight, recognized in 2014 as “Nanotechnology Company of the Year” by the Chief Scientist of Israel, focuses its Research and Development on cadmium-free quantum materials for use in display applications. Quantum materials are nanosized particles which enable displays with a substantially extended colour gamut. Qlight’s work is tightly integrated into global projects, working closely with Merck teams in Germany and Japan.

“Qlight Nanotech is an excellent illustration of the synergistic potential of academia and industry to scale and promote new technological advances,” said Dr. Yaron Daniely, CEO and President of Yissum, Hebrew University’s Technology Transfer Company. “Hebrew University is a world leader in innovative material science research. We are excited to play an instrumental role in bringing more technological breakthroughs to commercialization.”

About Merck
Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2016, Merck generated sales of € 15.0 billion in 66 countries.
Founded in 1668, Merck is the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.

Merck employs more than 300 people in Israel, and has sites in Yavne, Herzeliya, Rehovot and Jerusalem. All three of its business sectors, Healthcare, Life Sciences and Performance Materials, have R&D sites in Israel.

About Yissum
Yissum is the technology transfer company of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Founded in 1964, it is the third company of its kind to be established, and serves as a bridge between cutting-edge academic research and a global community of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry. Yissum’s mission is to benefit society by converting extraordinary innovations and transformational technologies into commercial solutions that address our most urgent global challenges. Yissum has registered over 10,000 patents covering 2,800 inventions; licensed over 900 technologies and has spun out more than 130 companies. Yissum’s business partners span the globe and include companies such as Boston Scientific, Google, ICL, Intel , Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Microsoft, Novartis and many more. For further information please visit www.yissum.co.il