Science and technology company, Merck, has entered into an agreement with HistoCyte Laboratories, for the distribution of its portfolio of cell line reference products for immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation.
Partnership
Under the terms of the agreement, Merck will employ its sales, marketing and e-commerce expertise to distribute Histocyte Laboratories’ comprehensive range of pathology slide controls in the US and other select geographies. External to these select geographies, HistoCyte Laboratories will continue to reach customers using its own channels.
“This collaboration gives customers a cost-effective and practical solution to the problem of tissue heterogeneity,” said Jean-Charles Wirth, head of the Applied Solutions business unit, Life Science at Merck. “These reference materials strengthen Merck’s pathology portfolio and provide a robust and standardised means for customers to achieve greater confidence in their analyses.”
The cell preparations from HistoCyte Laboratories are not typical cell line preparations. The slides mimic tissue morphology and protein expression much more than the average cell line slide product.
“This is important in pathology and clinical research labs where standardised tissue preparations may be in short supply, causing issues for reliable analysis and diagnosis, as well as cost,” Wirth added.
Colin Tristram, who co-founded HistoCyte Laboratories with Ian Milton, commented: “We are excited to have our products available and brand promoted within the US and beyond by Merck. It allows us to focus on our direct market in the UK and Ireland, as well as concentrate on further product development.”
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.