Merck Terminates Needle-free Delivery Deal with Bioject

Bioject Medical Technologies Inc. recently announced that Merck & Co. has advised Bioject that it is withdrawing from further negotiations under the agreement signed in July 1998. Merck cited refinement of its vaccine development strategy as the reason for not continuing negotiations.

The two companies signed an agreement in July 1998 that gave Merck limited-term, preferential rights to use the company's B-2000 jet injection system for study in conjunction with certain Merck vaccines.

Bioject Medical Technologies develops, manufactures and markets jet injection systems for needle-free subcutaneous and intramuscular injections.