Merck Millipore acquires rights to Singulex technology

Merck Millipore and Singulex have entered into a definitive agreement under which Merck Millipore will control and manage the Singulex Life Science Research business. As a result, Merck Millipore will have exclusive rights to further develop and commercialise Singulex’s Single Molecule Counting (SMC) technology for research applications worldwide.

Singulex’s proprietary SMC technology is said to enable physicians and scientists to detect biomarkers of disease that were previously undetectable. The technology combines signal enhancement and background reduction, coupled with low-volume sampling, to achieve ultrahigh sensitivity protein detection.

Under the terms of the agreement, Merck Millipore will pay Singulex an upfront payment, royalties and additional payments based on achievement of certain commercial milestones. Singulex will continue to operate a clinical service business based on SMC assays.

“We are very pleased with this strategic agreement with Merck Millipore, a world leader in life science, since it puts our unique technology into the best possible hands to optimise its commercial scale-up and market potential,” said Singulex President and CEO Guido Baechler. “We have established our position as a leader in high-sensitive immunoassays, and this deal enables us to leverage our superior immunoassay technology to create additional opportunities in our other diagnostic businesses, especially within the area of companion diagnostics.”

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