MilliporeSigma, the US and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has announced that the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has signed a definitive agreement with the intention to acquire HUB Organoids Holding B.V. (HUB).
Organoids are cell culture models that functionally resemble an organ. They have the potential to speed up drug development, improve understanding of disease treatment in diverse populations, and reduce the industry’s reliance on animal testing. HUB is a pioneer in the field of organoids. The company is based in Utrecht, Netherlands and employs some 70 people. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close at the end of December 2024.
HUB possesses the foundational patent portfolio on organoids and has a service offering ranging from new model generation to assay development and high-throughput screening. This adds to and enhances Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany´s Life Science business portfolio of cell culture reagents, tools and benchtop instruments for academia, biotech, and pharma customers. HUB’s technology enables drug developers to identify and validate potential clinical candidates in a patient-relevant in vitro system, closing the gap between the lab and clinical trials.
The use of organoids may allow researchers to limit their reliance on animal testing by reducing stages in the R&D process, positively contributing to more environmentally sustainable alternatives. Organoids also create opportunities for genetically diverse populations to be reflected in research. They allow scientists to better understand drug interactions in patient populations that are underrepresented in clinical trials.
