BioSeek to Collaborate with Merck Serono to Assess Potential Drug Candidates

BioSeek, Inc. has entered into a collaboration agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany acting for its division Merck Serono.

Under the collaboration, BioSeek will apply its BioMAP® Systems to evaluate Merck Serono small molecule compounds and proteins across multiple therapeutic areas in support of target differentiation, lead selection, and nomination of candidates for preclinical development at Merck Serono. Financial details were not disclosed.

“We are delighted that Merck Serono has chosen BioSeek as a partner to explore the utility of predictive human biology for the enhancement and acceleration of modern drug discovery,” commented Michael C. Venuti, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of BioSeek.

“BioMAP Systems should provide an important value-added tool for the evaluation of compounds in Merck Serono’s autoimmune and inflammatory disease programs, with additional applications in neurodegenerative diseases and oncology.”

BioMAP® Systems are primary cell-based models of human disease biology, designed to replicate the intricate cell and pathway interactions as they are observed in vascular inflammation, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, fibrosis and related clinical indications.

Depending on their mechanism of action, compounds induce specific patterns of changes in these systems (BioMAP profiles) that can be compared to a large number of reference profiles in the BioMAP Database. Assessment with BioMAP provides early insight into human pharmacological properties of compounds, including on- and off-target effects, dose responses, and the discrimination of closely related compounds.