Artemis signs gene research agreement with Merck

The agreement represents a significant initiative to undertake a large-scale approach to gene function analysis using shRNAi 'knock down' in genetically engineered mice as models for human biology.

Under the terms of the agreement, Artemis will generate genetically engineered shRNAi knock down mouse models for Merck using Artemis' proprietary vector construction, ES cell transfection and inducible RNAi technology. Merck will provide selected shRNA sequences that correspond to mouse genes that may also play a central role in human diseases. Artemis will use its technologies to achieve constitutive as well as inducible functional down-regulation of the expression of the gene targets provided by Merck.

“This agreement further expands our broad and successful ongoing relationship with Merck,” said Professor Peter Stadler, managing director of Artemis.

“Disease related genes can be carefully analyzed in adult mouse models by combining shRNA technology with our methodologies to generate these mouse models for in vivo phenotypic characterization. For the first time ever it's now possible to generate large numbers of mouse models within a time frame previously thought unachievable.”