PR85990

DARMSTADT, Germany, Oct. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

- Membrane manufacturing facility for aseptic filters will help meet customer

demand in the growing biopharmaceutical market

- Investment of more than (EUR) 140 million creates approximately 55 new jobs

- Construction expected to be completed in 2022

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

topping-out ceremony for its new membrane production plant in Darmstadt,

Germany. With the new facility, the company plans to expand manufacturing of

Millipore Express(R) (

https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2942804-2&h=2705114534&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.merckmillipore.com%2Fmillipore-express-phf-hydrophilic-filter%2Fvx2b.qB.TW0AAAFN7ZQtMCVi%2Cnav&a=Millipore+Express%C2%AE

) membranes, which are critical components in Millipore Express(R) filters and

help ensure the sterility of biological drug products. The project with a

volume of more than (EUR) 140 million is part of the (EUR) 1 billion investment

in its global headquarters until 2025 that the company announced last year.

Photo -

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1308804/Merck_membrane_manufacturing_image.jpg

"As a science and technology company, we want to pave the way for new therapies

and contribute to improving the lives of patients around the world. With this

strategically important production facility for our Life Science business

sector, we are investing in a future technology, enabling additional growth and

creating new jobs at our company's global headquarters," said Stefan Oschmann,

chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck.

Chris Ross, interim CEO of the Life Science business, added: "As a

world-leading life science tools and solutions provider, we play a pivotal role

in the growing biopharmaceutical membrane market. This investment increases our

membrane manufacturing capacity and allows for more supply chain

diversification. It also demonstrates our commitment to advancing the

production of new therapies and our support for bringing important drugs to

market."

The new membrane production plant is expected to create approximately 55 new

jobs. Construction began in March this year and is expected to be completed in

2022, followed by production process validation and commercialization. The new,

four-story membrane plant will house immersion membrane casting equipment,

quality control laboratories and offices.

Millipore Express(R) (

https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2942804-2&h=2705114534&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.merckmillipore.com%2Fmillipore-express-phf-hydrophilic-filter%2Fvx2b.qB.TW0AAAFN7ZQtMCVi%2Cnav&a=Millipore+Express%C2%AE

) membranes from Merck will be manufactured at the new facility in Darmstadt,

then processed into filters for pharmaceutical production at the company's

existing device Center of Excellence in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, USA.

With more than 50 years of experience in sterile filtration, Merck is an

industry leader, providing the most comprehensive portfolio of products,

services and testing for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Millipore Express(R)

membranes and Durapore(R) membranes are produced today at the Center of

Excellence for membrane manufacturing in Cork, Ireland. The Merck Life Science

Center in Cork remains a critical manufacturing facility within the company's

global network.

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About Merck

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

life science and performance materials. Around 56,000 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 (EUR)16.2 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