Dr. Chen Chen (Michael) currently works as Head of External Innovation China for Merck KGaA. Michael works in line with Merck R&D strategic needs to drive new opportunities through collaborations with academic and centers of excellence, as well as local pharmaceutical companies in China and other APAC areas. He encompasses scouting and evaluating of external opportunities including assets in discovery and early clinical development (prior and post clinical PoC), novel drug targets/biomarkers, and discovery technologies, through open innovation, licensing, co-development, investment and other collaboration opportunities. He also works closely with Merck global BD for various internalization and externalization deal makings.

Michael received his bachelor degree in cell and molecular biology from University of Essex, a master degree in cancer immunotherapy from University of Nottingham and a PhD in Biochemistry from Imperial College London. Before joining Merck, he has been leading research projects at Spirogen Ltd./MedImmune, and involved in business development/investment activities at WuXi AppTec and ChemPartner.