Merck Accelerates Mobius® Single-Use Manufacturing in Wuxi

• Investment supports growing demand for biopharmaceutical manufacturing in China
• Accelerates Mobius® single-use manufacturing to bolster novel drug development

Wuxi, China, February 22, 2018 — Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced an additional investment to accelerate Mobius® single-use manufacturing in Wuxi, China. This investment follows a year after Merck announced its €80m Life Science investment in Nantong, China in November 2016.

“As a leading Life Science solutions provider, we are committed to playing an active role in China’s transformation into an innovation-driven economy,” said Andrew Bulpin, head of Process Solutions, Life Science at Merck. “This investment allows us to accelerate the development and manufacturing of biosimilars for our customers. It also demonstrates our resolve to fulfil and upgrade the life science value chain in China.”

China is fast becoming a biotech powerhouse with a promising biosimilar industry. Single-use capability is critical for biosimilar development and manufacturing because of their flexibility and efficiency.

The investment demonstrates Merck’s commitment to support the industry’s fast growth by providing a wide range of leading, innovative solutions for customers and partners in China. Located in Wuxi China, the site expansion to add Mobius® manufacturing is expected to be completed in the second half of 2018.

Merck recently announced additional investments of about €40m to build a robust supply chain with two new Life Science manufacturing and distribution sites in South Korea and India, and the single-use manufacturing facility in China.

About Merck

Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. More than 52,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2016, Merck generated sales of €15 billion in 66 countries.

Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck holds the global rights to the “Merck” name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.