Another story from Fierce Biotech highlights Merck's new deal with China's BGI, a leading genomic research Institute in Shezhen province. BGI will help Merck with drug discovery efforts aimed at the personalized medicine market that is expected to develop big over the next decade and beyond.
Specifically, BGI will lend its genomic sequencing and bioinformatics expertise to Merck's drug discovery efforts. Personalized medicine is seen as the future according to Yin Ye, vice president of BGI's Research and Cooperation Department. He believes that genetic differences between Europeans and Asians will lead to the development of unique therapeutics for each group.
Merck also sees having a footprint in China as being important. Michael Vounatsos, chief of Merck's China operations, indicates that he believes the market can expand there by more than 25% next year and that it will be among Merck's top 5 markets within the decade.
Posted by Bruce Lehr September 17th 2010.
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