Covance buys Merck's Gene Expression Laboratory in Seattle

Published: 30-Jul-2009

Covance, a US provider of drug development services, is to acquire Merck\'s Gene Expression Laboratory in Seattle. In addition the company has signed a five-year US$145m agreement with Merck & Co for the supply of genomic analysis services.


Covance, a US provider of drug development services, is to acquire Merck's Gene Expression Laboratory in Seattle. In addition the company has signed a five-year US$145m agreement with Merck & Co for the supply of genomic analysis services.

"The acquisition of this laboratory brings world-class talent and technologies to Covance and further expands our capabilities in genomics testing and personalised medicine," said Joe Herring, chairman and ceo of Covance.

"We recognised the need to expand our footprint in the important and growing genomics testing market and this transaction provided both a superior and quicker entry point than the build or buy options we considered."

Covance, with headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey, expects to retain 'the majority' of staff at the Gene Expression Laboratory and is scheduled to move into the site on 17 August. The laboratory carries out genotyping, gene sequencing and gene expression profiling.

"The Gene Expression Laboratory has established a strong reputation for consistent delivery of high quality experimental data," said Dr Rupert Vessey, vice president, Merck Research Laboratories. "This agreement assures continued access to these services for our researchers while securing a future for the facility as an integral part of a world leading drug development service provider."

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