German multinational Merck announced at the start of June it launched its first "Technology Days" in Shanghai — a series of events aimed at accelerating its innovation projects in the Chinese market.

At Technology Days, which ran from June 3 to 7, Merck signed a key agreement on joint technology and innovation development with Peking University, announced a China Accelerator Program in Shanghai and hosted its WExCuriosity Innovation Forum.

It said these were all aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation with governments, academic institutions, partners and startups in the Chinese market, so as to expand its partnership eco-system in local market.

Merck CEO Stefan Oschmann said China was his group's most important growth market, with many future technologies emerging from the country.

"We want to be a part of this ecosystem. During the Technology Days, we entered new partnerships and launched projects that will accelerate future innovation," he added.

Merck said its new China accelerator program, set to start operations in 2019, would focus on "industry ready" startups.

The program is expected to incorporate Chinese startups within Merck's innovation network across the healthcare, life sciences and performance materials sectors.

Elsewhere, the company said its innovation forum held on June 6 involved the participation of business leaders, experts, academics, investors and young people from Tencent, BGI Innovation Center, 6 Dimensions Capital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Peking University and other institutions.

Together with Merck's senior management team, they shared their knowhow and explored China's and the world's innovation ecosystem and growth opportunities.

Throughout the week, Merck CEO Stefan Oschmann and other group executives visited China's digital giant Baidu, Zhangjiang High-Tech Park, and met with start-ups and their staff in Beijing and Shanghai.