EMD Chemicals Expands Multi-Analyte Portfolio Via Collaboration with MitoSciences to Develop and Distribute Assays for Drug Toxicity and Mitochondrial Bioactivity

The new collaboration allows for co-development of high-quality multiplex immunoassay products for the WideScreen(TM) BeadPlex(TM) assay platform for the detection and profiling of mitochondrial toxicity and activity. This enables EMD Chemicals to expand its already extensive offering in the multiplex biomarker, drug discovery and drug development markets. Under the terms of the agreement, MitoSciences has granted EMD Chemicals exclusive rights to a large new offering of currently unlicensed monoclonal antibodies for monitoring mitochondrial toxicity and bioactivity. MitoSciences will work exclusively with EMD Chemicals to validate the new WideScreen(TM) assays for use in drug screening applications.

MitoSciences conducts both preclinical and clinical projects with pharmaceutical companies and clinicians to better understand the roles and causes of mitochondrial toxicity and bioactivity from drug treatment. They will combine their comprehensive knowledge and content with the assay development and international sales and marketing network of EMD Chemicals to provide optimized solutions that enable researchers to measure important biomarkers for drug toxicology and mitochondrial bioactivity.

"EMD Chemicals has been very successful in developing and offering multiplex immunoassays for biomarker and toxicity analysis for our clients in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. We realize the opportunities to satisfy the demands of additional markets. Working with MitoSciences will address these new markets," said Christina Shasserre, Vice President and Head of Global Biosciences for Merck KGaA and EMD Chemicals. "MitoSciences provides the highly unique content and knowledge that enables assay development. Together with EMD Chemicals and our large focus on immunoassay development and global commercialization infrastructure to distribute these kits, the collaboration will see rapid delivery of these unique tools to the market."

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

"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," concluded Shasserre.

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. EMD Chemicals and MitoSciences will continue to collaborate to design, create, and release new, innovative products that meet the evolving requirements of their customers.

About EMD Chemicals Inc.

EMD Chemicals Inc. represents the North American chemical sector of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. It is an international organization with nearly 1,000 employees and revenues of more than $US 300 million in 2008, providing specialty chemicals for pharmaceutical, biotech, cosmetic, automotive, plastics and other industrial applications. With headquarters in Gibbstown, N.J., EMD Chemicals Inc. is also engaged in the development, manufacture and distribution of a broad array of reagents used for life science research. Its sister company, EMD Crop BioScience Inc. located in Milwaukee, Wis., specializes in plant growth enhancement products for agricultural applications, including Optimize(R). EMD Chemicals Inc. is known in the market for its product brands Iriodin(R), Xirallic(R), Rona(R), Calbiochem(R), Novabiochem(R) and Novagen(R), among others.

About Merck KGaA

All Merck Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Website. Please go to http://www.subscribe.merck.de to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.

Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of EUR 7.6 billion in 2008, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped approximately 33,000 employees in 60 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.

About MitoSciences Inc.

MitoSciences is a developer and manufacturer of monoclonal antibodies and immunoassays for use in understanding mitochondrial function and metabolism. MitoSciences' products are used by pharmaceutical companies, clinical laboratories, and basic researchers to unlock the role of metabolic enzymes in disease, drug therapy, and drug toxicology. MitoSciences' products also support the rapidly growing fields of systems biology and personalized medicine.

SOURCE: EMD Chemicals Inc.

EMD Chemicals Inc. 
Timothy Fleming, +1-858-450-5521