Merck, a leading science and technology company, opened its new Asia-Pacific Bioprocessing Production Center in Daejeon, South Korea. The center represents an investment of more than €300 million, the company’s largest Life Science investment in Asia-Pacific to date.
The 44,500-square-meter site expands the Merck’s regional manufacturing capacity for critical materials and solutions used in the development and production of biologic medicines. It gives biopharmaceutical manufacturers across Asia-Pacific closer access to the materials and solutions needed to develop and produce biologic medicines.
"Reliable access to critical materials is essential at every stage of biologics manufacturing," said Jean-Charles Wirth, Member of the Executive Board of Merck, and CEO Life Science. "Daejeon brings advanced production closer to biopharma manufacturers across Asia-Pacific, giving them greater supply confidence, as they move from development to commercial scale. The center adds the regional capacity customers need and delivers the quality and consistency they expect from Merck."
From Daejeon, Merck will supply bioprocessing products used from early process development through commercial-scale manufacturing. These include cell culture media in dry powder and liquid formats, including pre-GMP small-scale custom products through imMEDIAte ADVANTAGE, process liquids and ready-to-use cleaning-in-place solutions; and single-use sterile sampling solutions based on the NovaSeptum® Sterile Sampling System. Together, they help customers accelerate development, scale production, maintain controlled manufacturing environments and reduce contamination risk. Cell culture media and process liquids will use animal-component-free raw materials and be manufactured to consistent global quality standards.
"The completion of Merck’s Asia-Pacific Bioprocessing Production Center, a world-leading bioscience company, marks a historic turning point in Daejeon’s rise as a global bio hub—not just for Korea, but for the world." said Tae-Jeong Heo, Mayor of Daejeon. "We will provide our full support to ensure that Merck’s foundational technologies at the Daedeok Innopolis and the capabilities of the local community can be brought together seamlessly. We will focus the city’s resources on building a world-class global bio ecosystem through close collaboration among industry, academia, research institutions, and hospitals."