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Pharmaceutical industry

Lynx Therapeutics Partners with Hoechst Marion Roussel for Massively Parallel Signature Sequencing Technology

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Lynx Therapeutics Inc., a Hayward, California-based company, has announced a partnership with Hoechst Marion Roussel, the global pharmaceutical division of Hoechst AG, to provide access to its Massively Parallel Signature Sequencing (MPSS) technology. Under the agreement, Lynx will receive research and development support, as well as equity capital, in exchange for providing Hoechst Marion Roussel with access to its technology. This partnership is significant, as it will enable Hoechst Marion Roussel to accelerate the development of Lynx's MPSS technology, which has the potential to revolutionize the study of gene expression in human diseases.

Key Takeaways:

  • The agreement grants Hoechst Marion Roussel access to Lynx's MPSS technology, which allows for the cloning and sequencing of up to a million cDNA molecules simultaneously.
  • Lynx will receive $35,000,000 in equity, R&D support payments, and subscription fees by the end of 1998, contingent upon the achievement of certain milestones and the quantity of samples.
  • The equity participation of Hoechst Marion Roussel in Lynx will not exceed 9%.
  • MPSS has the potential to enable the systematic study of gene expression during disease processes, uncovering highly relevant therapeutic and diagnostic targets.
  • Lynx Therapeutics Inc. began operations in 1992 and is focused on elucidating and modulating aberrant gene expression in human diseases.
  • Dr. Sam Eletr, CEO of Lynx, stated that the agreement is a strong vote of confidence in the likelihood of success and broad potential applications of the technology.

Statistics:

  • $35,000,000: The combined equity, R&D support payments, and subscription fees that Lynx is expected to receive by the end of 1998.
  • <1 million: The number of cDNA molecules that can be cloned and sequenced simultaneously using MPSS technology.
  • 1992: The year Lynx Therapeutics Inc. began operations.
  • 9%: The maximum equity participation of Hoechst Marion Roussel in Lynx.
  • 1997: The year by which no more than two additional companies will have access to the MPSS technology, before Hoechst Marion Roussel is guaranteed access.

Sources:

  • Business Wire, October 12, 1995.

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