Merck & Co., Inc. has exercised an option for the exclusive use of Crucell N.V.'s PER.C6 technology and an option for access to its AdVac vaccine technology in two infectious disease areas.

Dr. Jaap Goudsmit, Crucell's chief scientific officer, said, "We are excited about this technology agreement which represents a further expansion of the relationship between our company and Merck. Crucell's vaccine technologies, PER.C6 and AdVac, are increasingly used by the vaccine industry to develop important novel vaccines for infectious diseases. This agreement further broadens the number of disease areas in which our technologies are used."

Under the terms of the agreement, Crucell acquires rights to certain cell-line technology developed by Merck for the manufacturing of recombinant proteins. The option and rights to technology developed by Merck are related to a cross-license agreement signed by the two companies in December 2006.