As per the deal, both the firms will work together for identifying and characterizing biomarkers for drug development, drug discovery and diagnostics applications for range of therapeutic areas.
Merck and BGI will each be permitted to propose projects to be undertaken under the collaboration.
The companies are expected to provide expertise, resources, samples and other research material required for the collaboration.
Merck Research Laboratories Late Stage Development vice president Jeffrey Chodakewitz said by working together they hope to apply BGI’s comprehensive next-gen sequencing solutions to develop important new tools to aid drug development and enable effective tailoring of medicines to those patients most likely to respond.