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Rockville-based Celera Genomics has signed its third big research partnership this month. The company says Merck will help fund research into potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease based of Celera's gene discoveries.

It announced similar deals with Abbott Labs to search for new cancer treatments, and a deal with General Electric's GE Global Research division to develop new products for targeted medicine.

Celera has not disclosed financial terms of any of the deals, although the company would retain rights to any discoveries based on the partnerships, get royalty payments during successful development and share in profits should products make it to market.

Joint ventures helped Celera cut losses last quarter, even as revenue declined. The company lost $5.8 million last quarter compared to a loss of $19.4 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Revenue fell 42 percent to $12.4 million.

© 2004 American City Business Journals Inc.