OXFORD, England, April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- PharmaVentures Ltd, announced today that it has been engaged by Merck Co, Inc. to advise and assist in divesting its world class research centre, the IRBM, located near Rome, Italy. The engagement will utilise PharmaVentures' pharmaceutical transactions experience in the healthcare and investment business sectors. The IRBM is an integrated, state-of-the-art small molecule and biological discovery centre. IRBM has an outstanding record of drug discovery including Isentress(R), the first approved HIV integrase inhibitor and winner of the Prix Galien USA 2008 award for the best pharmaceutical agent. The centre has received significant investment since 2000 and is staffed with exceptional, experienced pharmaceutical scientists.

Dr Fintan Walton, CEO, PharmaVentures commented, This research centre is a rare opportunity for a pharmaceutical company or contract research organisation to expand its operations and gain access to one of the world's foremost research centres.

A leading results driven organisation, PharmaVentures (http://www.pharmaventures.com) assists pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across the world in all aspects of deal making. The Company's core business is the provision of tailored consulting and transaction advisory services to the Life Science industry, with additional deal making support provided through the PharmaDeals(R) range of intelligence products which include analysis tools and reports. An innovative business, PharmaVentures additionally provides industry insight, business reviews and deal making trends through the world's first online pharmaceutical television channel http://www.pharmatelevision.com. Now in its 17th year, PharmaVentures is based in Oxford, UK, employs over 50 people mostly educated to PhD or above. With offices in the USA and Australia, the Company works for a variety of clients from start-ups to global corporate pharmaceutical companies.

For further information please contact: Lisa Holloway Marketing +44(0)1865-784-177 lisa.holloway@pharmaventures.com

For further information please contact: Lisa Holloway, Marketing, +44(0)1865-784-177, lisa.holloway@pharmaventures.com