Merck Millipore and VWR extend EU distribution deal

Merck Millipore and VWR have announced a new non-exclusive, preferred distribution agreement covering western Europe.

The global provider of laboratory supplies, equipment and services will receive access to a wider range of Merck Millipore products and reagents for chemical and microbiological analysis. The contract replaces an exclusive chemical distribution agreement signed in 2004.

Under the new preferred agreement, Merck Millipore will be free to engage with other organisations, but VWR will remain the distributor of choice through December 2018.

Merck Millipore's offerings are mainly used in quality control solutions for the pharmaceutical, food and beverage and chemical industries, as well as research products for the organic synthesis and bioscience fields.

Robert Yates, head of Merck Millipore, said: "The new contract continues an important relationship with one of Merck Millipore's largest distributors and reinforces our commitment to providing our existing customers easy access to high-quality products."

This comes after the firm signed a clinical research, licensing and joint development agreement with Sysmex Corporation last month.