A leading drug-formulation development and manufacturing company, Bend Research Inc., has entered into a licensing agreement with Merck, through a subsidiary.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bend Research will provide Merck access to its proprietary spray-dried dispersion (SDD) technology. Depending on Merck's additional needs, Bend may also provide Merck with access under the license agreement to additional drug-delivery platforms and intellectual property, including modified-release technologies and drug-discovery formulation tools.

The two companies hope to use their complementary fundamental scientific and engineering capabilities to solve complex formulation and process-development problems with an eye toward transferring these solutions to a cGMP environment.

“We are excited to extend our working relationship with Merck,” said Rod Ray, chief executive officer of Bend Research. “Building stronger collaborative relationships with leading companies like Merck is important to Bend Research’s future. This relationship expands our opportunities to deliver best-in-class medicines and fits well with Merck’s mission to help provide innovative products that save and improve people’s lives.”