Merck to develop California Institute for Biomedical Research

Calibr is an independent, not-for-profit organization established to offer academic scientists an efficient and flexible path for translating their biomedical research into novel medicines.

Calibr investigators will advance new discoveries to preclinical proof of concept at which stage commercial partnerships will be sought for further development, the company said.

Merck will fund up to $90m over a period of seven years to Calibr.

Merck has an option to obtain an exclusive commercial license to any proteins or small molecule therapeutic candidates derived from work conducted by Calibr.

For any projects not licensed by Merck, Calibr will be free to seek alternative sources of funding for further development.

Merck Research Laboratories president and Calibr scientific advisory board member Peter Kim said Calibr will provide an important venue where basic research and drug discovery scientists may leverage each others’ strengths in the fight against disease.