Merck KGaA has entered deals that could bring U.K. artificial intelligence companies Benevolentai Ltd. and Exscientia plc more than $1.2 billion. Oxford, U.K.-based Exscientia and Merck will collaborate to find three small-molecule candidates in oncology, neuroinflammation and immunology. Exscientia is getting $20 million up front and could bring in $674 million in milestones payments.