Merck buys into microarray market
position in the emerging microarray market, estimated to reach $2
billion (€1.76bn) in 2008.
Merck KGaA of Germany has acquired a US firm, ProteoPlex, which specialises in functional genomics and proteomics. Merck said that the move would allow it to access the emerging microarray market, which it estimates will approach $2 billion (€1.76bn) in 2008.
ProteoPlex' technology platform combines parallel sample processing with the multiplex data generation capabilities of microarrays. The company's products include a 16-well human multi-cytokine protein array kit, used in research into inflammatory and immunological diseases.
ProteoPlex will be integrated into Merck's US-based life science subsidiary EMD Biosciences, which sells a range of products to the life sciences industry including Calbiochem assay kits for signal transduction studies, Novagen gene and protein research tools, Novabiochem reagents for peptide synthesis and combinatorial chemistry and Oncogene Research Products, used in the study of cell cycling, cell biology and apoptosis.
Dr Bernd Reckman, vice president and general manager of Merck's life science products division, said: The technology and competence of ProteoPlex are a perfect fit with our own proteomics R&D programs and will directly translate into new product offerings for our customers in the life sciences industry."
Both partners have agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction.
ProteoPlex was founded in 2001 with former management, R&D personnel,and technology from Incyte Genomics (now Incyte Corp). It is based in St Louis, Missouri.
