Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Kenilworth's UK Arm Partners With Wayra UK -- But Real Story (Beneath The Story) Is... Name Spat?


So. . . it is laudable that MSD in the UK is partnering with Wayra UK -- to provide incubator funding to two lucky winners -- in digital healthcare/IT.

But I mention it primarily because I think this "placed" story appeared today across the pond, as a retort, of sorts to the GERMAN Merck putting out a presser (which was naturally picked up by US outlets) on Monday, in which German Merck used the full "Merck" name, and simply ran a by-line saying "not intended for US and Canadian audiences". Cheeky.

This marks an escalation in the battle over the name. As we all by now remember, US Merck has the exclusive right to the full Merck name in the US and Canada. The German entity has it in the rest of the world. Fascinating. In any event, here is the UK presser from "our" Merck:

. . . .Merck Sharp and Dohme will once again be offering support to digital healthcare start-ups through a partnership with Wayra UK.

The pharmaceutical company is allying with the Wayra UK accelerator organisation to launch the third annual Velocity Health scheme, which aims to accelerate start-ups creating technology to address healthcare challenges facing the NHS.

This year, the partners are specifically looking for up-and-coming businesses creating digital innovations to support disease and illness prevention, with a particular focus on start-ups utilising artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Two start-ups will be chosen to take up a ten-month accelerator programme, giving them access to funding of 68,000 pounds each, as well as a network of mentors, coaches and investors who will nurture their entrepreneurial talent and technological expertise. . . .


Entertaining. Onward -- to the Ninth Circuit arguments on Muslim Ban 3.0, at 4 PM CDT today.

नमस्ते

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