Dr. rer. nat. Ulrich A.K. Betz
The future doesn't wait
About me
Diplombiochemiker | Diploma Biochemist
I am Senior Vice President of Innovation at Merck, Head of the department Future Insight & Research Programs, Member of the German Council of Science & Humanities, Head of the science & technology workstream for Merck’s 350th Anniversary and Head of the COVID-19 SARS-CoV2 Innovation Task Force 2019 at Merck.
I have 30 years of leadership experience in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry and was a multi-year member of the drug discovery research management and review boards at Merck and Bayer. Prior to joining Merck in 2005, I worked 7 years for Bayer AG in various scientific and managerial positions in Pharma Research.
I received my PhD in functional genomics and immunology from the University of Cologne and my diploma in biochemistry and physiological chemistry from the University of Tübingen.
My vision is to combine science/technology and innovation with the eternal principles of truth, love, courage, liberty and spirituality to solve the challenges of today and to enable the dreams of a better tomorrow.
What is my expertise?
Key Accomplishments
- Founded Future Insight e.V.
- Selected pandemic preparedness as first topic for the 1mio€ Merck Future Insight Prize already end of 2016, three years prior to the outbreak of the SARS-CoV2 COVID-19 pandemic, as high need area for humanity
- As science & technology head of Merck’s 350th anniversary in 2018 established the Curious – Future Insight Conference, the Merck Future Insight Prize, the Merck Innovation Cup, and the Darmstadt Science Declaration “Make Science Not War”
- Co-inventor of FDA and EMA approved drug Letermovir (Prevymis drug to treat human cytomegalovirus infection) and of Co-inventor of Pritelivir (drug to treat herpes simplex virus infection) – currently in early access program for patients
- Responsibility for open innovation and research collaborations at Merck
- Multi-year member of drug discovery research management boards at Bayer and Merck
- Designed and implemented a Merck wide innovation initiative innospire with global idea sourcing and enablement in an entrepreneurial context and an innovation incubator under direct board governance, resulting in dozens of innovation projects and new products with a total business value of several hundred million euros
- Designed new open innovation concept “outcubation” that lead to the foundation of the biotech company BioMedX GmbH
- Received various innovation awards such as the German Industry Innovation Award (the world’s oldest innovation award), two International Business Awards (Stevie Gold Awards: Executive of the Year – Pharmaceuticals and Innovator of the Year), Stevie Gold Germany Award (R&D manager of the year Germany), Edison Award, the Bio IT world best practice award, and the German Idea Award.
- Author and co-author of >100 publications and patents (e.g. Cell, Nature Medicine, Nature Biotechnology)
- Appointed member of the German Council of Science & Humanities
- Appointed member of the LOEWE science advisory board for Hessen
- Listenelement