NanoString to Collaborate With Merck for Development of Diagnostic Test

Pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co., has reached an agreement with Seattle-based NanoString Technologies to develop and market a test to predict response to Keytruda, a PD-1 inhibitor.

The agreement tasks NanoString with seeking regulatory approval and commercialization of the diagnostic test, which depends on selected gene expression signature to predict patient response to Kyetruda in multiple tumor types. In return, NanoString will be eligible to receive up to $24 million for technology access and short-term milestones.

Additionally, NanoString will receive development funding and other potential regulatory milestone payments. — Anisa Jibrell