Merck's CRISPR Epigenetic Activator Named to The Scientist's Top 10 Innovation List

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29 Mar, 2016, 12:00 GMT

- Award recognizes potential impact on human health

- Robust tool enables life science community to explore advanced regulatory aspects of gene expression

- Customizable for both targeted epigenetic manipulation and transcriptional regulation

DARMSTADT, Germany, March 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced that The Scientist magazine has named the company's CRISPR Epigenetic Activator one of its Top 10 Innovations of 2015.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160325/348074

This image opens in the lightbox — Merck's technology allows researchers to target specific DNA regions or gene sequences, enabling them to localize epigenetic changes to their target of interest and see the effects of those changes in gene expression.

The CRISPR Epigenetic Activator is a key product of Merck's life science business after the acquisition of Sigma-Aldrich Corp last year.

"The life science research community lacked an effective method for the activation of endogenous gene expression," said Udit Batra, CEO of Merck's life science business. "We are excited to bring the research community a highly specific, robust tool for both targeted epigenetic manipulation and transcriptional regulation."

The annual Top 10 Innovations competition recognizes "the newest life science products making waves in labs and clinics," according to an article in the December 2015 issue of The Scientist, which ranks the CRISPR Epigenetic Activator number six in a list of 10 innovations that could have a major impact on science and medicine.

The award recognizes the potential impact of the activator on human health, by enabling new platforms for drug screening, gene therapy and disease monitoring.

The system will enable the life science community to explore advanced regulatory aspects of gene expression by allowing the epigenetic modification of genetic loci at both close and distal locations to a gene of interest.

About Merck

Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 40,000 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, EMD Millipore and EMD Performance Materials.

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