German drugmaker Merck announced this week that it has now signed a definitive agreement for the planned acquisition of Dutch organoid company HUB Organoids Holding B.V. (HUB).

Organoids are cell culture models that functionally resemble organs and have the potential to accelerate drug development, improve understanding of disease treatments for diverse populations, and reduce the industry's reliance on animal testing.

HUB, a pioneer in the field of organoids, is headquartered in Utrecht, the Netherlands, and employs about 70 people, according to a Merck statement.

The deal is expected to close by the end of December 2024, and terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.