Universal Display Corp. (Nasdaq: OLED), a developer of energy-efficient OLED display and lighting technologies, said it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a portfolio of OLED patent assets from Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The acquisition is expected to expand Universal Display’s intellectual property coverage in advanced emissive device technologies and support its ongoing technology roadmap.
The transaction, to be executed through Universal Display’s wholly owned subsidiary, UDC Ireland Limited, and Merck Electronics KGaA, Darmstadt, is expected to close in January 2026, subject to customary conditions.
The portfolio includes more than 300 issued and pending patents spanning over 110 unique patent families, with an average remaining lifetime of approximately 10 years. These patents focus on advanced OLED emissive device structures and related material components, essential for enhancing device efficiency, brightness, and longevity. Analysts say the acquisition positions Universal Display to consolidate its leadership in developing high-performance OLED materials for displays and lighting.
“We are pleased to continue to enhance our OLED patent portfolio, a move that is poised to bolster UDC’s technology roadmap and broaden the addressable scope of our innovation engine,” said Steven V. Abramson, President and CEO of Universal Display. “These assets complement our world-class R&D and materials discovery platforms as we continue to support the growing OLED market globally.”
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, said the IP transfer aligns with its strategic focus on charge transport and triplet host materials — key components that optimize emissive layer performance in OLED devices.
“This IP package represents a significant milestone in our innovation pipeline, integrating multiple next-generation inventions related to emissive layer technology,” said Johannes Canisius, General Manager of the OLED business at Merck. “Transferring this IP to UDC underscores our commitment to advancing OLED technology, while enabling us to focus on our core expertise. We are confident this collaboration will drive the OLED industry forward and unlock new possibilities for the technology as a whole.”
