The life science arm of Germany’s Merck KGaA has signed an agreement to distribute polyethylene glycol (PEG) products from China’s JenKem Technology. Under the deal’s terms, Merck will market the Chinese’s company’s PEG portfolio to its existing customer base, giving small volume users access through its global distribution network.

Mark Frishberg, vice president of business development at JenKem Technology, said the deal will allow it to leverage Merck’s substantial relationships and infrastructure within the biomedical and related industries.

Headquartered in Beijing, JenKem Technology develops and manufactures PEG products and derivatives, as well as related custom synthesis and PEGylation services. It also has scale-up and commercial manufacturing facilities in Tianjin. JenKem said it will continue to sell PEG products and PEGylation services for small-scale research where customers choose to work directly with the company, as well as for bulk and commercial-scale non-GMP and GMP-grade products.