Merck, BGI In Biomarker Pact

Merck and BGI have established a collaboration to focus on the discovery and development of biomarkers and genomic technologies. The two companies will work together to identify and characterize biomarkers with an emphasis on drug discovery, development and diagnostics applications across a wide range of therapeutic areas. Under the agreement each company can propose projects under the collaboration. Both Merck and BGI will provide resources, expertise, samples and other research material as needed for the collaboration.

“This strategic collaboration combines BGI’s genomic sequencing and analytic capabilities with Merck’s expertise and experience in drug development,” said Dr. Jeffrey Chodakewitz, vice president, Late Stage Development, Merck Research Laboratories. “By working together we hope to apply BGI’s comprehensive next-gen sequencing solutions to develop important new tools to aid drug development and enable effective tailoring of medicines to those patients most likely to respond.”

“We welcome this opportunity to bring extensive genomics experience to our collaboration with Merck, as well as our expertise in transcriptomics, proteomics and bioinformatics. Through this close collaboration with Merck, we are confident that we will achieve more important breakthroughs to accelerate disease genomics research and drug R&D to facilitate improved health care,” said Ye Yin, president of Research and Cooperation Division at BGI. “This collaboration will bring mutual benefits to BGI and Merck in the next few years, but also support the development of new techniques that will benefit the medical and pharmaceutical industries as a whole.”