Merck Announces Proteologix as Winner of its North American Advance Biotech Grant

News Release

• Proteologix to receive in-kind products and services to develop treatments for autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and oncology indications
• Experts from Merck’s Emprove^® team and M Lab™ Collaboration Center to provide consultation and training
• Company has awarded grants to nearly 40 biotechnology companies since 2014

Darmstadt, Germany, June 6, 2023 – Merck, a leading science and technology company, announced today that Proteologix US Inc. (“Proteologix”) has been selected as the North American winner of its 12th Advance Biotech Grant program. The biotechnology startup, which is headquartered in Redwood City, California, USA, was selected for its robust pipeline targeting autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and oncology indications that affect a large patient population.

"Emerging biopharma companies play a vital role in advancing medical breakthroughs, representing around 80% of the total development pipeline¹. However, bringing life-saving treatments to market can be challenging, with preclinical stages taking up to six years and costing millions," said Darren Verlenden, Head of Process Solutions for the Life Science business sector of Merck. “Our Advance Biotech Grant program provides emerging biotech companies with the expertise and resources they need to overcome the challenges of technical decision-making and regulatory hurdles on the path to commercialization.”

As part of the award, Proteologix will receive in-kind products and services in cell line development, downstream processing, final formulation, and ultrafiltration (UF) to develop treatments for autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and oncology indications. Additionally, Proteologix will receive consultation services and training by technical experts from the Emprove^® team and M Lab^™ Collaboration Center.

Millions of people worldwide are affected by autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. To meet the demand for these diseases, Proteologix is developing multi-specific molecules. One of these molecules, PX119, has shown to be more potent at killing cells with fewer side effects than current antibody treatments in Proteologix’s studies.

In addition to Merck's broad product portfolio and consultation services, Proteologix will also leverage the company’s integrated Millipore^® CTDMO Services. With more than 30 years of expertise in development, manufacturing and contract testing, these services cover monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, viral therapies, messenger RNA, lipid nanoparticle formulation and highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients from pre-clinical to commercial.

Since 2014, Merck's Advance Biotech Grant program has awarded technologies and consultation to nearly 40 biotechnology companies around the world, supporting their efforts to improve patient outcomes for various diseases such as cancer, brain tumors, osteoarthritis, and cardiovascular disorders. The company is set to award its next grant in the APAC region in July, further expanding its commitment to supporting emerging biotech companies worldwide.

Another program that Merck is sponsoring to help early stage bioentrepreneurs is the Nucleate Activator Program, an equity-free company formation program designed for academic biotech that has served nearly 250 life sciences venture teams in their pursuit to commercialize academic technology.

¹https://www.iqvia.com/insights/the-iqvia-institute/reports/emerging-biopharmas-contribution-to-innovation