Merck KGaA has extended its partnership with the Weizmann Institute of Science inRehovot, Israel by signing a new framework agreement, building on am innovation partnership of almost four decades.

The new framework agreement on research collaboration and licensing was signed by: Stefan Oschmann, deputy CEO and vice chairman of the executive board of Merck KGaA; Belén Garijo, member of the Executive Board of Merck KGaA and CEO Healthcare; Prof. Mudi Sheves, vice president of technology transfer of the Weizmann Institute; and Amir Naiberg, CEO of Yeda, the commercial arm of the Weizmann Institute. The agreement will span the next three years, with an option for multiple successive extensions of two years each.

As part of the new framework agreement Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, will fund each of the two research areas with up to EUR 1 million ($1.1 million) per year over the three-year period initially.

Merck KGaA employs more than 300 people, mainly scientists, in Israel, and has sites in Yavne, Herzliya, Rehovot and Jerusalem.

Source: Merck KGaA