Merck Launches First Commercially Available Equine-Specific Multiplex Assay for Protein Biomarkers

• Detects biomarkers of horse infection, inflammation, immune response and general health
• Addresses unmet needs of equine research centers, veterinary research and animal research nutrition companies

Darmstadt, Germany, May 9, 2016 — Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced the global launch of the first commercially-available equine-specific multiplex assay for protein biomarkers. The assay is intended for research use only, not for use in diagnostic procedures.

The MILLIPLEX® MAP Equine Cytokine/Chemokine Panel enables researchers to simultaneously measure up to 27 cytokines in equine serum, plasma and tissue/cell culture supernatants. The panel delivers important information intended for research on biomarkers of horse infection, inflammation, immune response and general health.

“Multiplex cytokine assays allow us to ask and answer more complex questions more efficiently,” said Brian Gilger, principal investigator, Laboratory of Ocular Immunology, Toxicology and Drug Delivery, North Carolina State University. “With this panel, we can better understand how the inflammation in the equine eye differs between infectious and immune-mediated uveitis."

Merck’s new equine-specific cytokine panel also addresses the unmet needs of equine research centers, veterinary research medicine and animal research nutrition companies.

Like all MILLIPLEX® MAP panels, Merck’s new assay kit provides complete flexibility, meaning that researchers can choose analytes from a panel and get the same performance as they would for the whole panel. The kit includes a standardized serum matrix, enabling more accurate quantitation of cytokines in biological samples.

About Merck
Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2015, Merck generated sales of € 12.85 billion in 66 countries.

Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.