Microsoft Goes Deeper Into Bio-Research Software (MSFT, MRK)
Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) is getting deeper into data management software in the field medical research. The software giant has signed an agreement with Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) to acquire certain assets of Rosetta Biosoftware. The deal will allow Microsoft to incorporate genetic, genomic, metabolomic and proteomics data management software into the Microsoft Amalga Life Sciences platform for enhanced translational research capabilities.
Rosetta Biosoftware is a business unit of Rosetta Inpharmatics LLC, which is in turn a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck. Under additional terms, Microsoft will establish a strategic relationship with Merck to enhance the Amalga Life Sciences platform to meet emerging pharmaceutical research needs.
Merck will now become a customer of the Amalga Life Sciences 2009 platform, and Merck will provide strategic input to Microsoft on the direction and evolution of new solutions incorporating Rosetta Biosoftware technologies. The deal is expected to close at the end of June 2009, and the new Amalga Life Sciences platform incorporating Rosetta Biosoftware technologies is slated to be available in early 2010.
This appears to be part of Merck’s previously announced strategy to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of basic research operations to ensure “long-term pipeline productivity.” Microsoft believes this will help to bring lifesaving drugs and therapies to market faster, and it also believes that this may accelerate the fruition of personalized medicine.
Microsoft introduced the Amalga Life Sciences in April 2009 for the discovery of new treatments. The company aims to give scientists and researchers an opportunity to redesign, manage and control research processes to increase productivity, reduce errors and improve decision-making.
Microsoft is pursuing hiring Rosetta Biosoftware employees who can fill roles that are critical to the effective incorporation of Rosetta Biosoftware technologies into the Amalga Life Sciences platform.
Until the deal is closed, Rosetta Biosoftware will continue to operate as a business unit of Rosetta Inpharmatics LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck.
Jon C. Ogg
June 1, 2009
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