Merck Launches First Commercial Screening Service to Predict Multiple Sources of DNA Damage

• Determines genotoxicity and mode of action in single high-throughput assay
• Accelerates analysis of chemicals, ingredients and drugs

Darmstadt, Germany, January 18, 2017 — Merck, a leading science and technology company, has introduced CAN MultiFlow™ screening services to more accurately predict genotoxic and mode of action* properties of substances, ingredients and drug compounds. Offered through its BioReliance® testing facilities, Merck will be the first company to provide this service in the United States.

The screening process uses flow cytometry to quickly and efficiently screen for clastogens, aneugens and non-genotoxicants (CAN) in pharmaceutical compounds, agricultural chemicals, flavors, fragrances and consumer products. The results from the assay can help manufacturers reject harmful substances during product development or reduce undesirable properties at an early stage.

“Assessing toxicology is one of the most important steps in the development of chemicals, ingredients and drugs for use in pharmaceuticals, agriculture or consumer goods,” said Andrew Bulpin, Head of Process Solutions Strategic Marketing & Innovation, Life Science. “Merck’s new CAN MultiFlow™ screening services provide more accurate predictions for toxicity than other approaches. This highly efficient and accurate service will allow for faster evaluation of compounds for potential hazards, making drugs, cosmetics, flavors, fragrances and other chemicals safer for consumers in the long run.”

Unlike other screening tests, the CAN MultiFlow™ assay analyses multiple biomarkers (p53, hH2AX and Phospho-Histone H3) associated with DNA damage in a single high-throughput assay. This model provides more accurate predictions of genotoxicity to help avoid false positives or other misinformation that may exclude an otherwise safe compound from a development pipeline. The CAN MultiFlow™ assay uses a minimal amount of material for testing and rapidly provides results.

The new CAN MultiFlow™ assay is based on the MultiFlow™ kit from Litron Laboratories. At this time, Merck is the only provider of the service in the United States. With the addition of this new service, Merck now offers the industry’s most current and comprehensive range of solutions for genotoxicity assessment, from discovery to lead optimization, and from regulatory assessment to lead rescue.

* mode of action properties are functional or anatomical changes that occur at the cellular level as a result of exposure to a toxic substance.

メルクについて
Merck（メルク）はヘルスケア、ライフサイエンス、パフォーマンスマテリアルズの分野における世界有数のサイエンスとテクノロジー企業です。がんや多発性硬化症のためのバイオ医薬品を用いた治療法から、科学研究と生産に関する最先端システム、スマートフォンや液晶テレビ向けの液晶材料にいたるまで、約53,000人の従業員が人々の暮らしをより良くする技術の一層の進歩を目指しています。2017年は66カ国で153億ユーロの売上高を計上しました。

メルクは1668年に創業された世界で最も歴史の長い医薬・化学品会社で、 創業家が今でも、上場企業が率いるメルクグループの株式の過半数を所有しています。メルクの名称およびブランドのグローバルな権利は、メルクが保有しています。唯一の例外は米国とカナダで、両国ではEMDセローノ、ミリポアシグマ、EMDパフォーマンスマテリアルズとして事業を行っています。