The company has launched operations in the Boston metro area.

As members, Merck, Pfizer and Eli Lilly have the opportunity to invest in the development of new technologies.

“The biopharmaceutical industry has a great need for innovative enabling technologies that will catalyze fundamental transformation of the drug discovery and development process,” said Steven Paul, executive vice president of science and technology for Eli Lilly and president of Lilly Research Laboratories. “A collaborative entrepreneurial initiative such as Enlight that is dedicated to such technological innovation in R&D meets that need in an ideal way. We are excited about our partnership with Enlight and its team of world-renowned scientists.”

Enlight is focused on technology that will connect preclinical research, clinical development and medical practice. Enlight develops these technologies in a “pre-competitive” model to meet the needs of the consortium of Enlight founders, applying a variety of scientific approaches, including both traditional pharmaceutical company expertise and more entrepreneurial approaches.

Enlight has already initiated programs in the areas of molecular imaging, biologics and drug delivery, and it is planning to launch programs in other areas, according to the company.

“The need for breakthrough technologies that enable innovation in biopharmaceutical science is an urgent priority for all of us engaged in bringing new medicines to patients,” said Rod MacKenzie, senior vice president of Pfizer Global R&D. “Enlight Biosciences is a creative new venture with a team of world-leading scientists.”

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