Dec 19 (Reuters) - Merck & Co Inc :

* PERSONALIS ADVANCES BUSINESS STRATEGY WITH INVESTMENT FROM MERCK AND EXTENDS COLLABORATION WITH MODERNA

* MERCK HAS AGREED TO PURCHASE $50 MILLION OF PERSONALIS COMMON STOCK IN A PRIVATE PLACEMENT AT A PRICE OF $3.56 PER SHARE

* MERCK TO OWN 16.5% OF PERSONALIS AFTER CLOSING

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