BioSeek, Inc. to Collaborate With Merck Serono to Assess Potential Drug Candidates

BURLINGAME, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BioSeek, Inc., a pioneer in the application of predictive human biology to drug discovery, announced today that it 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.

About BioSeek

BioSeek is improving the success rate of pharmaceutical research and development by integrating human biology from the earliest stages of drug discovery onward. The Company’s BioMAP® Systems incorporate predictive primary human cell-based disease models that generate uniquely informative activity profiles of each potential drug, assisting in the selection and development of new drug candidates. BioSeek is leveraging BioMAP® Systems technology in collaborations to enhance the productivity of its pharmaceutical partners’ pipelines, and in the Company’s internal discovery programs. For more information, go to www.bioseekinc.com.

Contact:

BioSeek, Inc. Michael C. Venuti, Ph.D., CEO, 650-552-0728 info@bioseekinc.com or Shari Annes, 650-888-0902 Media Relations Shari.Annes@gmail.com or Marcia Katz, 631-692-2698 marciakatz@optonline.net

Source: BioSeek, Inc.