MilliporeSigma and Promega Unite to Innovate 3D Drug Discovery

MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has announced a partnership with Promega Corporation to enhance drug discovery technologies through the development of advanced 3D cell culture models. This collaboration aims to improve access to disease-relevant cell models, enabling researchers to conduct more effective drug screening.

The partnership merges MilliporeSigma’s expertise in organoids and synthetic chemistry with Promega’s leading assay technologies. Together, they plan to create assays that can monitor cellular activity in real time within three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures. These organoids more accurately replicate human biology compared to traditional two-dimensional (2D) models, offering a more relevant platform for drug discovery.

Anand Nambiar, Head of Science & Lab Solutions for MilliporeSigma, remarked, “This partnership with Promega shows what is possible when two companies with a shared commitment to science join forces. By combining our organoid expertise with Promega’s advanced reporter technology, we aim to enable high throughput screening that helps researchers identify safer and more effective drug candidates for complex diseases such as cancer—and do it faster than ever before.”

Tom Livelli, Vice President of Life Sciences Products & Services at Promega Corporation, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Collaborating with MilliporeSigma allows us to push the boundaries of drug discovery. By combining our technological strengths, we are helping to create more relevant and accessible models for drug discovery, with the goal of enabling new insights and eventually better outcomes for patients.”

In addition to their primary agreement, MilliporeSigma and Promega have signed a separate contract to explore the integration of the company’s Duolink® technology with Promega’s HiBiT technologies. This integration aims to create new workflows for studying protein interactions within cells, offering researchers deeper insights into cellular signaling, which is essential for both biologics and small molecule drug discovery.

This collaboration is part of MilliporeSigma’s broader strategy to solidify its position as a leader in next-generation biology. The company took a significant step in December 2024 when it acquired HUB Organoids B.V., a pioneer in organoid technology. This acquisition expanded its capabilities in 3D cell culture and enhanced its portfolio with foundational patents, advanced model generation, and high-throughput screening services.

MilliporeSigma, with over 26,000 employees and more than 55 manufacturing and testing sites globally, offers a portfolio of over 300,000 products focused on scientific discovery, biomanufacturing, and testing services. The company reported sales of €21.2 billion in 2024, operating under the Merck KGaA name outside the U.S. and Canada, where it is known as MilliporeSigma.

Promega Corporation, headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, has been a leader in providing innovative solutions and technical support in the life sciences industry for over 45 years. With a portfolio of more than 4,000 products that support diverse areas of research, Promega continues to play a vital role in advancing drug development and molecular diagnostics.

This partnership between MilliporeSigma and Promega signifies a significant advancement in drug discovery technologies, focusing on creating more physiologically relevant models that can lead to better therapeutic outcomes for patients worldwide.