Dipl.-Chem. Alexander Merkel, born in 1969, finished his studies in chemistry (diploma) at Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität München in 1996. As scientific employee he researched in the field of dye synthesis as well as radical controlled dye degradation. In 2000 he started to work as laboratory head first for EMKA and then Aaron chemistry GmbH. His main function comprised scheduling and synthesis of ‘building blocks’ for pharmaceutical research. Since 2011 he works as a technical assistant at the IP firm Ter Meer, Steinmeister & Partner GbR.