Melissa Nackovski, Collaboration Consultant EMEA, Merck Group
Interviewed by Afram Yakoub, communications officer, SwedenBIO
C. Mikael Mattsson, Novo Nordisk
The Merck Advance Biotech Grant for the NLSDays 2023 Nordic Stars Pitch Competition
What made you chose to offer the Merck Advance Biotech Grant for the NLSDays Nordic Stars Pitch Competition?
The Merck Advance Biotech Grant is a program that specifically recognizes stand-out emerging biotech companies and helps them navigate their path to commercialization. The NLSDays Nordic Stars Pitch competition offers Merck a chance to engage and learn more about these startup companies in the Nordics.
      What are your expectations regarding the pitch competition?
      I expect to learn more about these startup companies and their innovative approaches to solving real world problems.
What types of startups are you generally interested in?
I will be looking for startups that are working to bring new and advance therapeutics to market.
      As a jury member for the NLSDays Nordic Star 2023 Pitch Competition, what will you be looking for in the competing companies?
      I will be looking for companies to clearly define their clinical strategy, therapeutic focus, technology and their current challenges.
What are you looking forward to at Nordic Life Science Days?
I’m looking forward to learning the trends that will take us into the future of drug development and advanced therapies.
      Do you have any advice for up-and-coming young companies?
      My advice would be to utilize the resources and expert communities available to you to take the right steps first to avoid costly delays in getting your product to market. Partnering with companies such as Merck early on can help you navigate that journey easier and faster.
    Register for
    NLSDays 2023 here
      NLSDays 2022 The largest Nordic partnering conference in life science
      Nordic Life Science Days is the largest Nordic partnering conference dedicated to the life science industry. Since its inception in 2013, the event has nurtured a community of people from the world of life science, and created a unique place to do business.