MRL Ventures targets company creation, new modalities

MRL Ventures may be one of the youngest corporate venture funds, but it is also carving out its own niche in the early-stage ecosystem with a substantial focus on company creation, as well as a mandate to look at technologies and therapeutic areas beyond parent company Merck’s current R&D interest.

Launched in 2014, MRL has an exclusive focus on early-stage therapeutics companies, which itself isn’t that dissimilar to most other corporate VCs. The firm can invest up to $25 million over the life cycle of the company and follows investments through to an IPO or exit...