Merck signs global distribution agreement with Avanti Polar Lipids

Science and technology company Merck has entered into an agreement with Avanti Polar Lipids to be the exclusive multinational distributor of the latter’s research lipids portfolio outside of the United States.

Avanti Polar Lipids is a US-based manufacturer and supplier of high-purity lipids for research and pharmaceutical product development. The new agreement will see Merck employ its sales, marketing and e-commerce expertise to distribute the Avanti Polar Lipids research lipid portfolio to all geographies worldwide except for the United States, where Avanti Polar Lipids will continue to reach customers via its own channels.

The agreement is expected to provide customers outside of the United States with on-demand access to the Avanti research lipid portfolio through the life science business of Merck’s e-commerce platform, SigmaAldrich.com, regional inventory and company sales representatives. Products will be stocked globally for improved availability to customers.

“High-quality lipids are an essential component of precision in the laboratory,” said Klaus Bischoff, head of the Research Solutions business area, Life Science at Merck. “Avanti Polar Lipids’ research lipids strengthen Merck’s overall Life Science portfolio, giving our customers access to a broad portfolio of the highest purity lipids on the market.”

Transition of approximately 2000 products from the Avanti research lipid portfolio to Merck is expected to be completed in early 2018. These lipidomics products are said to meet the demands of lipid researchers, helping to answer fundamental questions about lipid structure and function.