EMD Seals Collaboration With MitoSciences

EMD Chemicals (EMD), a subsidiary of Germany-based Merck, has entered into a research and commercial collaboration with MitoSciences. The new collaboration allows for co-development of multiplex immunoassay products for the WideScreen BeadPlex assay platform for the detection and profiling of mitochondrial toxicity and activity.

Under the terms of the agreement, MitoSciences has granted EMD exclusive rights to a large new offering of currently unlicensed monoclonal antibodies for monitoring mitochondrial toxicity and bioactivity. MitoSciences will work with EMD to validate the new WideScreen assays for use in drug screening applications.

The two companies are expected to combine their knowledge and content with the assay development and international sales and marketing network of EMD to provide optimised solutions. It would enable researchers to measure important biomarkers for drug toxicology and mitochondrial bioactivity.

Reportedly, the first set of assays is scheduled for availability in early 2010. The kits will be sold to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as academic institutions.

Jean-Paul Audette, president and CEO of MitoSciences, said: “MitoSciences has long been aware of the need for multiplex immunoassay panels against mitochondrial and other metabolic proteins. We are excited about working with EMD to combine our research capabilities to bring such panels to the market.”

Christina Shasserre, vice president and head of global biosciences for Merck and EMD, said: “To develop safer drugs and save time and resources in the process, the evaluation of toxicity is a clear focus in pre-clinical drug development. Testing the effect of drug candidates on mitochondrial processes such as metabolism and replication is as an important aspect of toxicity profiling.”