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DARMSTADT, Germany, Jan. 7, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- Adds to Merck's lipid manufacturing expertise, providing an integrated

offering across mRNA value chain

- AmpTec's differentiated polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technology has

shown to have advantages over other technologies for mRNA manufacturing

- Diagnostics business focused on producing customized long RNAs and DNAs for

in vitro diagnostics, complements existing Merck portfolio

Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced the

acquisition of AmpTec (

https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3027972-2&h=2355890539&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amp-tec.com%2F&a=AmpTec

), a leading Hamburg, Germany-based, mRNA contract development and

manufacturing organization (CDMO). The deal strengthens Merck's capabilities to

develop and manufacture mRNA for its customers for use in vaccines, treatments

and diagnostics applicable in Covid-19 and many other diseases. Financial terms

were not disclosed.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1395853/Merck_LNP_drawing.jpg

"The success of mRNA-based vaccines for Covid-19 lays the path to accelerate

the development of these therapeutics for many other diseases," said Stefan

Oschmann, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck. "By combining

AmpTec's PCR-based mRNA technology with Merck's extensive expertise in lipids

manufacturing, we are able to provide a truly differentiated and integrated

offering across the mRNA value chain, which will significantly decrease supply

chain complexity and enhance speed-to-market. This transaction is another

important step to support the constant growth of our Life Science business

through tailored, small-scale acquisitions with high impact."

"Last year, AmpTec celebrated its fifteenth anniversary, and this acquisition

marks an exciting new chapter for our company," said Guido Krupp and Peter

Scheinert, managing directors and founders of AmpTec. "AmpTec's more than 40

employees are thrilled to join Merck and are confident that our PCR-based

technology and combined expertise will allow us to offer customers innovative

technologies, products and services to help advance life-enhancing

therapeutics."

Lipids, which are part of the SAFC(R) portfolio in Merck's Life Science

business sector, constitute one of the critical components for the formulation

of mRNA therapeutics including Covid-19 vaccines. Merck, with more than 20

years' experience in this space, is collaborating with more than 50 vaccine

manufacturers – some of which use mRNA for their products – to support their

efforts in the development and production of Covid-19 vaccines, treatments and

services.

PCR technology is another important component of mRNA manufacturing. AmpTec

uses a differentiated PCR-based technology for mRNA manufacturing, which has

shown to have advantages over other manufacturing technologies, including:

    -- Advantages in homogeneity, purity, activity and flexibility.

    -- Higher quality and improved performance.

    -- Flexible capping options to reach specific performance requirements.

In addition to specializing in mRNA technology, AmpTec has a diagnostics

business that focuses on producing customized long RNAs and DNAs for in vitro

diagnostics. It will complement Merck's diagnostics business, which specializes

in providing critical raw materials, components and services for in vitro

diagnostics manufacturers. Merck's molecular materials portfolio includes

custom and predesigned DNA oligos and probes for a variety of applications such

as PCR, next generation sequencing and microarray production.

Merck is continuing to invest in mRNA as a modality and will scale up this

technology both at AmpTec's existing site in Hamburg and at Merck's global

headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany.  

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About Merck

Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare,

life science and performance materials. Around 58,000 employees work to make a

positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more

joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies

and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling

the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2019, Merck

generated sales of EUR16.2 billion in 66 countries.

Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to

Merck's technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived

since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of

the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name

and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the

business sectors of Merck operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma

in life science and EMD Performance Materials.

SOURCE  Merck

CONTACT: andreas.cezanne@merckgroup.com, Phone: +49 6151 72-45946