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| Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) and Shanghai Biochip Co. Ltd (SBC) join hands in the field of gene expression profiling in oncology |
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Shanghai July 12, 2006: Merck Sharp & Dohme (known as Merck & Co., Inc. in the USA) and Shanghai Biochip Co. Ltd. ("SBC") today announced an important cooperation agreement, under which MSD and SBC will collaborate in an oncology research program using both parties" industry- leading gene expression profiling biochip technol |
| Gene expression profiling biochip is a leading research method for measuring the expression level of tens of thousands of genes in the human genome. As one of the functional genome approaches, gene expression profiling can identify gene markers for predicting disease outcome and drug response for achieving personalized therapy. Under the agreement, MSD will be responsible for providing the required specimen samples, expertise, financial and technical support, and for training of SBC personnel at MSD facilities. The collaboration of SBC and MSD, with their expertise in biochip and gene expression profiling, is expected to help bring China"s R & D capacity in gene expression profiling to the next level. |
| During the signing ceremony, Dr. Stephen Friend, Executive Vice President at Merck Research Laboratories, noted that: "SBC is a top-notch biochip company in China. MSD also has accumulated a lot of know-how and experience in applying gene expression profiling to drug discovery and other clinical applications. Together, we can combine our strengths and advance the treatment of cancer, a leading cause of death in China. We have full confidence in this collaboration." |
| SBC"s Board Chairman and President, Mr. Hua Yuda also spoke positively about the agreement. "MSD is a leading global research-driven pharmaceutical company with strong research and development capabilities. Our combined efforts will enable us to take on the challenges of human cancer research. This agreement is of profound significance and will bring help move China"s gene expression profiling research to more advanced levels. It will also have a positive influence on advancing the research standards of China"s healthcare industry. This is a good beginning and represents the further cooperation in other areas." |
| Mr. Atle Flo, the President of MSD China, commented that: "Today is the first time that MSD has transferred key technology in the area of gene chip research. This signifies MSD"s commitment to becoming a trusted partner and contributing to the future development of China"s healthcare industry. At the same time, we demonstrate MSD"s mission of bringing forward novel medicines that address unmet medical needs for people around the world. We believe that through the combined efforts of both parties, we will be able to raise the overall research standards in the area of gene expression profiling and hope that through our work, we may ultimately bring relief to cancer patients in China and in other countries around the world. |
| As a responsible company, MSD is dedicated to cooperation with the Chinese government, related medical organizations on the programs for public good, and improvements in the medical and health industries. Considering the high incidence of Hepatitis-B disease in China, MSD and the Chinese government reached an agreement on technology transfer in 1989. Under the agreement, MSD sold its gene-engineering Hepatitis-B vaccine production technology to China for a token one dollar technology transfer fee. Since then, millions of newborn babies in China have had access to the Hepatitis-B vaccine nationwide. |
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| About MSD |
MSD is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, MSD discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs.. The company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that donate MSD medicines and also help deliver them to the people who need them. MSD also publishes unbiased health information as a non-profit service. For more information, visit www.merck.com or www.msdchina.com.cn |
| About Shanghai Biochip Co., Ltd |
| Shanghai Biochip Co. Ltd (also known as SBC or ShanghaiBio), established in August 2001��is one of the largest biotech companies in China. Located at Pudong Zhangjiang Biopharmaceutical Park in Shanghai, China, the company owns a vast campus of greater than 10 acres with 7 R&D buildings. With USD36 million grants from the government, SBC is also the National Engineering Center for Biochip. SBC establishes several biochip platforms including those of DNA, SNP, microRNA, protein, and tissue microarrays, serving worldwide biotech/pharmaceutical industry and academic research labs for innovative drugs and diagnostics products research and development. The company"s current research portfolio now covers many aspects of life sciences, new drug R&D, diagnostics products, biomarkers, etc. MaxyBio Corporation, a wholly owned SBC subsidiary based in New Jersey, USA, is building more international collaborations with global biotech/pharmaceutical companies on early discovery, pre-clinical research and clinical trials. More company info is available online at www.shanghaibio.cn and www.maxybio.com. |
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