Merck Begins Commercial Production of First GMP-Compliant Manufacturing Line for Cell Culture Media in China

News Release

• € 6.6 million investment at Nantong site expands production capabilities for cell culture media
• Supports local biopharma manufacturers to meet growing demand for novel medicines
• Enables smooth transition from pilot to commercial-scale, speeding time to market and access to life-saving therapies

Nantong, China, July 12, 2024 Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced the start of commercial production of its first GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) compliant manufacturing line for cell culture media (CCM) in China. The approximate € 6.6 million investment at its Life Science Center in Nantong – a major industrial hub in the Yangtze River Delta region – aims to address the growing local demand for quality custom CCM used in biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and novel therapeutics.

Commercialization of the local production line enables Chinese customers to access Merck’s well-established custom CCM products and services in a reliable and efficient manner. Leveraging extensive in-house formulation knowledge, Merck designs robust custom CCM for customers’ specific processes and creates innovative solutions that enhance consistency and efficiency of their processes.

“This investment further expands Merck's footprint and capabilities in China, showcasing our commitment to the development of the local biopharma industry,” said Roy Wu, Managing Director of the Life Science business sector, Merck China. “The new cell culture media manufacturing line is a positive proof of our commitment to improve patient care by leveraging our innovative spirit and global network of expertise.”

Applying media components from qualified sources only, the Nantong GMP facility allows for a smooth transition from pilot to commercial-scale cell culture production with comprehensive regulatory documentation. Along with tailor-made dry powder CCM products, customized technical and operational assistance will also be provided to support local biopharma manufacturers’ processes and shorten time to market. Product lead time is expected to be reduced as a result of local manufacturing.

“The Nantong Economic and Technological Development Area (NETDA) is focused on accelerating high-quality development of its biopharma industry,” said Cao Haifeng, Deputy Secretary of NETDA Party Working Committee and Director of NETDA Administrative Committee. “The project of Merck's Life Science Center in Nantong will provide important contributions to the biopharma eco-system of the region.”

Merck provides a full range of innovative solutions to local and global biopharma customers. In addition to CCM, the Life Science business offers an extensive range of products, including cell lines, bioreactors, filters, resins, chromatographic, pharmaceutical raw materials, and excipients. Its end-to-end process solutions are designed to comprehensively support biopharma manufacturers from process development to scale-up, benefiting patients and contributing to the advancement of global health.