Nebula Genomics Signs Agreement for Pilot Project with EMD Serono

Agreement will grant EMD Serono access to genomic data for drug
research

SAN FRANCISCO, & BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nebula Genomics, which operates a technology platform containing
genome-sequencing data, has signed an agreement with EMD Serono, the
biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in the U.S.
and Canada, for EMD Serono to access genomic data on Nebula’s
blockchain-based network for genomic data sharing.

Nebula aims to help EMD Serono enhance its research efforts by
supporting its scientists as they develop potential new medicines, using
Nebula’s network of anonymized genomic data.

“This collaboration pioneers a new business model in personal genomics
that benefits both individuals and researchers such as those at EMD
Serono,” said Dennis Grishin, Chief Scientific Officer of Nebula
Genomics. “We want to help patients benefit from their data and also
empower them to actively contribute to research. Our goal is to
spearhead a more patient-centric approach to medical research where
pharmaceutical companies and patients are working together to accelerate
drug development.”

Genomics has the potential to transform healthcare and biomedical
research. As researchers are hindered by the overall lack of data as
well as difficult data access due to data fragmentation and inefficient
consent management, Nebula’s platform offers a solution to tackle these
challenges. It connects patients and consumers with researchers and
incentivizes data sharing by ensuring equitable compensation,
transparency and security.

About EMD Serono, Inc.

EMD Serono – the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt,
Germany, in the U.S. and Canada – is engaged in the discovery, research
and development of medicines for patients with difficult to treat
diseases. The business is committed to transforming lives by developing
and delivering meaningful solutions that help address the therapeutic
and support needs of individual patients. Building on a proven legacy
and deep expertise in neurology, fertility and endocrinology, EMD Serono
is developing potential new oncology and immuno-oncology medicines while
continuing to explore potential therapeutic options for diseases such as
psoriasis, lupus and multiple sclerosis. Today, the business has
approximately 1,300 employees around the country with commercial,
clinical and research operations based in the company’s home state of
Massachusetts. www.emdserono.com

About Nebula Genomics

Nebula Genomics seeks to usher in the era of personal genomics by
building a distributed platform that will accelerate genomic data
generation, facilitate data access and streamline data analysis. The
Nebula platform uses blockchain and privacy-preserving technologies to
enable individuals to maintain control of their personal genomic data,
share it securely and get compensated equitably. By incentivizing
personal genome sequencing and genomic data sharing, Nebula Genomics
will make large genomic datasets available to researchers which will
help advance understanding of human genetics, accelerate drug discovery
and streamline clinical trials. The company was founded by Harvard
genomics pioneer George Church, along with Harvard researchers Dennis
Grishin and Kamal Obbad. Founded in 2017, Nebula Genomics has offices in
San Francisco, CA and Boston, MA and is backed by investors including
Khosla Ventures, Arch Venture Partners, Fenbushi Capital, Mayfield,
F-Prime Capital Partners, GreatPoint Ventures, Hemi Ventures and Mirae
Asset. For more information, follow @NebulaGenomics on Twitter
and Facebook
or visit nebula.org.

Contacts

Dennis Grishin, CSO, Nebula Genomics
[email protected]