Merck Deploys Internal Generative AI Platform for Clinical Study Reports, Cutting Draft Time from 2-3 Weeks to 3-4 Days

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, implemented a new internal generative AI platform that significantly reduces the time required to produce critical-path clinical study documents. The platform, developed by Merck technologists and clinical trial experts, leverages large language models (LLMs) to expedite the creation of first drafts of clinical study reports (CSRs). In use cases across multiple studies, Merck reduced the time to create a fully human-reviewed CSR draft from 2-3 weeks to just 3-4 days. This time saved accelerates the speed at which Merck's products are available to health care providers and patients. The new platform utilizes advanced data engineering and LLMs to enhance clinical study report development, helping deliver medicines to patients faster. The deployment is an extension of Merck's broader business and technology rebuild aimed at removing complexities within the clinical trial process. Merck technologists evolved the company's technology architecture and business capabilities to support this large-scale generative AI deployment for clinical operations. Future directions include expanding the platform to additional document types in the clinical trial pipeline and broader scaling across the global Merck research and development organization.