Merck Starts Commercial Production of First GMP-Compliant Cell Culture Media Manufacturing Line in China
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Merck, a global leader in science and technology, has initiated the commercial production of its first GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) compliant manufacturing line for cell culture media (CCM) in China. This €6.6 million investment at Merck's Life Science Center in Nantong, a significant industrial hub in the Yangtze River Delta, is intended to meet the rising local demand for high-quality custom CCM utilized in biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and novel therapies.
This new local production capability will enable Chinese customers to access Merck’s custom CCM products and services more efficiently and reliably. Merck’s extensive in-house formulation expertise allows the design of robust custom CCM tailored to specific customer processes, resulting in innovative solutions that improve process consistency and efficiency.
“This investment further enhances Merck's presence and capabilities in China, reflecting our commitment to supporting the local biopharma industry,” said Roy Wu, Managing Director of the Life Science business sector, Merck China. “The new cell culture media manufacturing line exemplifies our dedication to advancing patient care through our innovative spirit and global expertise network.”
The Nantong GMP facility ensures seamless transition from pilot to commercial-scale cell culture production with comprehensive regulatory documentation, using media components from verified sources. In addition to custom dry powder CCM products, tailored technical and operational support will be provided to aid local biopharma manufacturers, reducing their time to market. Local production is expected to shorten product lead times.
“The Nantong Economic and Technological Development Area (NETDA) is committed to fostering high-quality growth in its biopharma industry,” said Cao Haifeng, Deputy Secretary of the NETDA Party Working Committee and Director of the NETDA Administrative Committee. “Merck's Life Science Center project in Nantong will significantly contribute to the region’s biopharma ecosystem.”
Merck offers a wide range of innovative solutions to biopharma customers locally and globally. Beyond CCM, the Life Science business provides various products including cell lines, bioreactors, filters, resins, chromatographic materials, pharmaceutical raw materials, and excipients. Their end-to-end process solutions are designed to support biopharma manufacturers from development to scale-up, ultimately benefiting patients and advancing global health.
Source: merckgroup.com
