MERCK FROSST AND GÉNOME QUÉBEC SIGN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

Canadian pharmaceutical company Merck Frosst Canada and Génome Québec have signed a research agreement whereby each will invest $5.28 million over three years in the discovery and development of treatments for life-threatening fungal infections. In addition, Merck Frosst pledged $10 million in additional research funding.

"These quality positions demonstrate the relevance of government support to Génome Québec and prove that the right choice was made in investing in life sciences. In fact, the results of our actions have garnered interest from large companies," said Québec Premier Jean Charest. "This support is also fruitful for the development of university and industrial research and explains the presence of Quebec among world leaders in research and development."

Génome Québec is a private, nonprofit organization that manages projects in the fields of human health, bioinformatics, ethics, the environment, forestry and agriculture.