Universal Display acquires Merck KGaA’s phosphorescent OLED emitter IP assets

Universal Display Corporation (OLED) announced that through its wholly-owned subsidiary UDC Ireland Limited, UDC has acquired the Phosphorescent OLED Emitter Intellectual Property assets of Merck KGaA (MKGAY). Representing more than 15 years of research and development, this portfolio has an average lifetime of 10 years and includes over 550 issued and pending patents around the world in 172 patent families. In addition, Universal Display Corporation and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, entered into a new multi-year collaboration agreement that pertains to UDC’s leading-edge green and yellow phosphorescent emitters and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s state-of-the-art transport and host materials to create advanced PHOLED stacks. "We are pleased to complement and boost our vast global IP framework with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s phosphorescent emitter patents and announce the extension and expansion of our OLED materials partnership," said Steven V. Abramson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Display. "This strategic acquisition enhances our robust position in the OLED ecosystem. As the pioneer and leader in phosphorescent OLED technologies and materials, we are well situated to leverage Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s discoveries into our extensive research and intellectual property portfolios."