Merck’s Global Health Innovation Fund (GHIF) is investing up to $17 million in Physicians Interactive, a company that develops such digital products for doctors as e-sampling and interactive education programs.

The deal includes an initial investment of $8.5 million. with more investments of up to $8.5 million contingent upon pre-specified benchmarks, It gives Merck’s GHIF a substantial minority stake in Physicians Interactive Holdings and a seat on the firm’s board of directors.

Physicians Interactive CEO Donato Tramuto said the investment “will allow us to further expand our internal product development and customer solutions.”