Merck Acquires AmpTec to Expand mRNA Capabilities for Vaccines, Treatments and Diagnostics
AsiaNet 87496
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 (
), 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.
All Merck news releases are distributed by email at the same time they become
available on the Merck website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to
register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.
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
本プレスリリースは発表元が入力した原稿をそのまま掲載しております。また、プレスリリースへのお問い合わせは発表元に直接お願いいたします。
このプレスリリースには、報道機関向けの情報があります。
プレス会員登録を行うと、広報担当者の連絡先や、イベント・記者会見の情報など、報道機関だけに公開する情報が閲覧できるようになります。