Cenix BioScience and Merck KGaA sign RNAi agreement
Cenix BioScience, a specialist in advanced RNA interference (RNAi)-based research services, and German pharmaceutical firm Merck KGaA have signed a framework research agreement securing Cenix services to enhance and accelerate Merck target discovery and validation efforts in oncology, with an option to expand in several human disease programs.
Cenix BioScience, a specialist in advanced RNA interference (RNAi)-based research services, and German pharmaceutical firm Merck KGaA have signed a framework research agreement securing Cenix services to enhance and accelerate Merck target discovery and validation efforts in oncology, with an option to expand in several human disease programs.
Cenix will combine high throughput (HT), genome-scale screening applications of RNAi with high content phenotypic analyses in cultured human cells to discover and validate new therapeutic targets, using assays co-designed with Merck scientists.
By yielding direct and highly predictive insights into the cellular functions and loss-of-function phenotypes of analysed genes, this RNAi-based approach will enable Merck to efficiently select targets with higher confidence for driving their drug development programs.
'As this project represents a very careful and well-thought-out design process, we are delighted to undertake it with Merck,' said Christophe Echeverri, ceo/cso of Cenix BioScience.