China's Biocytogen Pharmaceuticals has entered into an evaluation and option agreement with Merck to grant them a sole license to evaluate Biocytogen's proprietary antibodies against at least three distinct targets with an option to acquire some of the assets at a later date for therapeutic product development for all uses worldwide.

Under the agreement, Biocytogen will provide Merck antibodies directed against at least three targets specified by them from Biocytogen's Project Integrum (also called HiTS Platform), which are generated by leveraging Biocytogen's proprietary RenMice Platform. Merck will carry out feasibility tests and be responsible for further development and commercialization of the products if exercising an option. Additional targets subject to mutual discretion may be included under this agreement.

Dr Yuelei Shen, President and CEO of Biocytogen, said: "Our RenMice-based Project Integrum aims to discover antibodies against more than 1,000 targets. We welcome collaboration with partners worldwide to realize the full potential of this platform."