The Merck Group Website
The Merck Group Website

Merck Serono Innovation Cup 2012

Innovation Cup 2012

A big THANKS to all applicants!
We were overwhelmed with applications and are happy of the huge response!

Selected participants have been informed via e-mail on March 30th, but you might still qualify to take one of the additional spots.

You will hear from us in any case. Stay tuned!






C
ombining bright young talent with proven industry experience

At Merck Serono, we believe that bringing generations together offers the potential to uncover the next great innovation in medical science. With the Merck Serono Innovation Cup 2012, we are combining our commitment to delivering breakthrough medical solutions with our belief that people really can make a difference.

The Innovation Cup brings together a promising new generation of young talent from life sciences and business administration academia in a meeting of the minds with Merck Serono senior management, experienced R&D scientists and external experts. It’s all happening at the second annual Summer Innovation Camp to be held near Frankfurt, Germany in August 2012.

What’s in it for me?

If you are a post-graduate student with an interest in the pharmaceutical industry, the Merck Serono Innovation Cup could be your chance to gain in-depth knowledge about pharmaceutical research and development, to network with top students from around the world and build a business case together with experienced professionals. If your project is selected by our grand jury, your team will win a prize of EUR 10,000! 

How do I apply? 


If selected, you will be invited to sign the participants’ agreement and attend the Innovation Summer Camp in Seeheim-Jugenheim, Germany from August 12 to 17, 2012.  Travel, accommodation and food expenses will be paid by Merck Serono.



Merck Serono invites advanced students in the fields of life-science and business administration from all over the world to apply for participation in the Merck Serono Innovation Cup. 25 students will be selected:

  • Sciences: Post-graduate students in the life sciences field on their way towards a PhD in biology, medicine, biotech, bioinformatics, biochemistry, pharmacy or related fields.
  • Business: Advanced MBA students or recent MBA graduates with an interest in the pharmaceutical business.
During the weeklong Innovation Summer camp, participants will work together in small teams in a highly stimulating and competitive environment to:


  • Learn the essentials about Research & Development within the pharmaceutical industry
  • Understand how drugs are successfully discovered, developed and brought to market
  • Get to know Merck Serono and visit our site in Darmstadt, Germany
  • Work as part of a team to generate new ideas addressing unmet medical needs in Merck Serono’s core therapeutic areas – Oncology, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Rheumatology, Fertility and Endocrinology
  • Evaluate your ideas from a technical and business perspective and build a convincing business plan
The Merck Serono Innovation Cup is an excellent opportunity to:

  • Learn all about R&D and business plans
  • Network with top students from around the world
  • Get to know Merck Serono and stay in touch with us
  • Work in a cross-functional team and be coached by experienced professionals
  • Compete for the Innovation Cup Award for your team and if you win, share a prize of EUR 10,000
  • Potentially make your business plan a reality at Merck Serono
Participants will work in small teams to generate an innovative idea that addresses a scientific challenge and develop the idea into a business plan. Teams will be composed of:

  • 4 life-science post-graduates
  • 1 MBA student/or recent graduate
  • 1 accomplished and experienced Merck Serono retired professional
Teams will receive coaching and guidance from the experienced summer camp moderator and Merck Serono innovation management

The teams will present their business plans to a high level jury on the final day. The jury will be composed of Merck Serono top management plus external consultants.

The jury will select the best business plan and present the winning team with the Merck Serono Innovation Cup award and EUR 10,000


 
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Merck Serono S.A.
Innovation Cup 2012

KEY DATES

Application period:
January 16 – March 15, 2012

Finalist list:
April 2, 2012

Merck Serono Innovation Summer Camp:
August 12-17, 2012

Winners announced:
August 20, 2012

SERVICES