High-Performance Supercomputer Launched to Advance AI Innovation and Scientific Discovery

Rhea-AI Summary

Equinix (Nasdaq: EQIX) announced that Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany launched a high‑performance computer on Nov 20, 2025, built on Lenovo ThinkSystem servers with Lenovo Neptune™ liquid cooling and hosted in an Equinix AI‑ready data center in Germany.

The hybrid HPC combines private and public cloud for scalable compute to accelerate drug discovery, life‑science product development and semiconductor material R&D. Equinix notes liquid cooling in more than 100 IBX data centers across 45+ metros. Merck metrics cited: 62,000+ employees and €21.2 billion sales in 2024. Lenovo metrics cited: US$69 billion revenue and presence in 180 markets.

Positive

• Launch date: Nov 20, 2025 — HPC now operational
• Equinix liquid cooling in 100+ IBX across 45+ metros
• Merck reported €21.2 billion sales in 2024
• Lenovo reported US$69 billion revenue and presence in 180 markets

Negative

• Announcement cites increased power procurement costs as a risk
• Equinix warns of sourcing power and land challenges for IBX and xScale data centers

Insights

AI infrastructure analyst

Equinix, Lenovo and Merck launched a Lenovo‑built, liquid‑cooled HPC hosted in an Equinix AI‑ready IBX to accelerate R&D across life science, healthcare and electronics.

Equinix provides the physical and network foundation by hosting a hybrid private/public cloud HPC built on Lenovo ThinkSystem servers with Lenovo Neptune™ liquid cooling. The setup targets compute‑heavy tasks such as drug discovery, materials design for semiconductors and cross‑sector collaboration while using liquid cooling available at more than 100 IBX data centers in over 45 metros.

The main dependencies are clear: continued access to scalable power and low‑latency interconnection inside the Equinix IBX, successful integration of the hybrid cloud stack, and sustained operational performance of the Lenovo hardware and cooling systems. Watch for usage milestones and any disclosures about compute scale, latency to public clouds, and sustainability metrics such as reductions in energy consumption; early updates could appear within months as Merck applies the platform to research workflows.

Equinix and Lenovo to provide digital foundation for Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany— from accelerating drug discovery to pioneering new materials for next-generation semiconductor chips

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. and HONG KONG and DARMSTADT, Germany, Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX), the world's digital infrastructure company^®, today announced Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, has successfully launched a state-of-the-art high-performance computer (HPC) built on Lenovo ThinkSystem servers with industry-leading liquid cooling technology. The HPC is hosted within an Equinix AI-ready data center in Germany and has been designed to accelerate innovation across the three business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany: life science, healthcare and electronics. This initiative underscores the commitment of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to digital innovation as a key enabler of scientific discovery.

"At Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, we believe that data and technology are the cornerstones of scientific progress. With this high-performance computer, we are enhancing our computational capabilities and transforming how we conduct research and develop solutions that matter," said Laura Matz, Chief Science and Technology Officer, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "This platform empowers our teams to leverage AI and advanced analytics more effectively, ultimately accelerating the pace of innovation across our sectors."

Developed by Lenovo and enabled by Equinix, this HPC platform combines private and public cloud infrastructure. The hybrid cloud design also offers flexible, rapid scaling to meet varying computational demands. Using high-performance computing, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, aims to enhance product development in life science, streamline drug discovery processes in healthcare, and optimize the development of new, cutting-edge materials for the semiconductor industry in electronics. This unified approach leads to more precise and tailored solutions for the unique challenges faced in each sector, minimizing fragmentation and fostering collaboration across teams.

"At Lenovo, we are committed to enabling the global adoption of innovative and sustainable technologies," said Andreas Thomasch, Director & Chief Technology Officer, Germany and Austria, Lenovo. "By designing and configuring this solution together, we've demonstrated that organizations can achieve exceptional performance without compromising on sustainability. With Lenovo Neptune™ Liquid Cooling, even the most demanding workloads will run efficiently while helping Merck drive progress in both science and industry."

Modern scientific discovery increasingly relies on vast data volumes and compute-intensive models. Equinix's role in this project goes beyond hosting—it provides the core digital foundation that makes large-scale AI and high-performance computing possible. AI adoption demands a shift to distributed, specialized infrastructure. Equinix powers a neutral AI ecosystem with globally interconnected, high-performance infrastructure—enabling secure training, inference, data exchange and sovereignty across clouds, partners and geographies. With liquid cooling capabilities at more than 100 of its International Business Exchange^® (IBX^®) data centers in more than 45 metros around the world, Equinix's infrastructure is designed to manage high-performance workloads while helping reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. This enables Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to meet growing compute demands while staying aligned with ambitious environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets.

"This partnership embodies what the future of innovation looks like—where digital infrastructure, compute and science converge to solve humanity's biggest challenges," said Harmeen Mehta, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer at Equinix. "At Equinix, we are proud to power that convergence. Together with Merck and Lenovo, we are proving that when technology scales responsibly, innovation doesn't just accelerate—it can transform industries and redefine what's possible."

About Equinix  
Equinix (Nasdaq: EQIX) shortens the path to boundless connectivity anywhere in the world. Its digital infrastructure, data center footprint and interconnected ecosystems empower innovations that enhance our work, life and planet. Equinix connects economies, countries, organizations and communities, delivering seamless digital experiences and cutting-edge AI—quickly, efficiently and everywhere.

About Lenovo
Lenovo is a US$69 billion revenue global technology powerhouse, ranked #196 in the Fortune Global 500, and serving millions of customers every day in 180 markets. Focused on a bold vision to deliver Smarter Technology for All, Lenovo has built on its success as the world's largest PC company with a full-stack portfolio of AI-enabled, AI-ready, and AI-optimized devices (PCs, workstations, smartphones, tablets), infrastructure (server, storage, edge, high performance computing and software defined infrastructure), software, solutions, and services. Lenovo's continued investment in world-changing innovation is building a more equitable, trustworthy, and smarter future for everyone, everywhere. Lenovo is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange under Lenovo Group Limited (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY). To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com, and read about the latest news via our StoryHub.

About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. More than 62,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2024, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of € 21.2 billion in 65 countries.

The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark "Merck" internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company's technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company.

All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the EMD Group website. In case you are a resident of the USA or Canada, please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register for your online, change your selection or discontinue this service.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from expectations discussed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, risks to our business and operating results related to the current inflationary environment; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; stock price fluctuations; increased costs to procure power and the general volatility in the global energy market; the challenges of building and operating IBX^® and xScale^® data centers, including those related to sourcing suitable power and land, and any supply chain constraints or increased costs of supplies; the challenges of developing, deploying and delivering Equinix products and solutions; unanticipated costs or difficulties relating to the integration of companies we have acquired or will acquire into Equinix; a failure to receive significant revenues from customers in recently built out or acquired data centers; failure to complete any financing arrangements contemplated from time to time; competition from existing and new competitors; the ability to generate sufficient cash flow or otherwise obtain funds to repay new or outstanding indebtedness; the loss or decline in business from our key customers; risks related to our taxation as a REIT; risks related to regulatory inquiries or litigation; and other risks described from time to time in Equinix filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see recent and upcoming Equinix quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are available upon request from Equinix. Equinix does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

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SOURCE Equinix, Inc.

FAQ

What did Equinix announce about the Merck HPC on Nov 20, 2025 (EQIX)?

Equinix said Merck launched a Lenovo‑built HPC hosted in an Equinix AI‑ready data center on Nov 20, 2025.

How will the new HPC impact Merck KGaA research and development?

The hybrid HPC is designed to accelerate drug discovery, life‑science product development, and semiconductor materials R&D using scalable compute.

What cooling and infrastructure does the Merck HPC use and where is it hosted?

The HPC uses Lenovo Neptune liquid cooling and is hosted in an Equinix AI‑ready data center in Germany.

What scale does Equinix claim for its liquid cooling capability (EQIX)?

Equinix states liquid cooling is available in more than 100 IBX data centers across 45+ metros.

Does the press release list risks that could affect Equinix or the HPC project?

Yes; it cites risks including increased power costs and challenges sourcing suitable power and land for data centers.