Merck Launches AAW™ Workstation to Advance Lab Automation

News Release

• New platform powered by Opentrons expands lab automation to accelerate scientific discovery
• Plug-and-play design for effortless integration into diverse laboratory settings
• Verified protocols across applications benefit academia, pharma, and biotech

Darmstadt, Germany, July 15, 2025 — Merck, a leading science and technology company, has launched the AAW™ Automated Assay Workstation, a solution powered by Opentrons, a leader in lab automation and accessible robotics. The workstation automates routine laboratory experiments previously performed manually, reducing hands-on time and ensuring consistency in results across diverse experimental settings. This launch follows the earlier announcement of a multi-year partnership with Opentrons Labworks, Inc. to enhance laboratory workflows through automation.

“Our customers are increasingly seeking tools that improve efficiency and deliver reliable and reproducible results,” said Anand Nambiar, Head of Science & Lab Solutions for the Life Science business sector of Merck. “The AAW™ platform exemplifies our commitment to equipping scientists with solutions that simplify their workflows and enhance their research capabilities. By automating routine tasks, researchers can focus on solving complex scientific challenges and accelerate discovery.”

Designed to advance the lab of the future, the AAW™ platform offers a plug-and-play setup and an extensive library of verified assay protocols across protein, molecular, and cell biology applications. Its versatility and ease of integration make it an ideal fit for academic, biotech, and pharmaceutical labs looking to boost productivity without compromising quality.

The AAW™ platform joins Merck’s growing portfolio of digital and automation innovations, including:

• M-TraceMerck Software: The first software offering complete data traceability in microbial QC.
• MyMilli-Q™ Services: A digital platform for water purification system oversight, ensuring high-quality water for critical experiments.
• ChemisTwinMerck Platform: The first-ever digital reference material platform that confirms compound structures and quantifies samples.

For more information about the AAW™ platform and to explore our full range of innovative solutions, visit SigmaAldrich.com/AAW-Yeah.

About Opentrons

Opentrons Labworks, Inc., a disruptive life science company and the current market leader in entry-level lab automation, accelerates innovation in research and healthcare through its integrated lab platform, which includes business units Opentrons^® Robotics and Neochromosome™. Opentrons has raised over $200 million in funding and achieved unicorn status based on its innovative technologies. The Opentrons Flex^® is Opentrons’ newest generation of liquid-handling lab robots, offering open-source accessibility and compatibility with generative AI tools. Opentrons Robotics provides thousands of institutions with flexible, easy-to-use lab robots, automating R&D operations and making robotics, a vast open-source library accessible to life sciences researchers worldwide. Opentrons is used in labs at the top 20 academic universities in the US and 14 of 15 leading global biopharmaceutical companies. Learn more at https://opentrons.com/.