Page 157 - CW E-Magazine (30-7-2024)

News from Abroad

INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE
Merck begins commercial production of cell culture

media in China

German pharma and chemicals
group, Merck, has announced the start
of commercial production of its first
GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)
compliant manufacturing line for cell
culture media (CCM) in China. The
approximate €6.6-mn investment at its
Life Science Centre in Nantong – a major
industrial hub in the Yangtze River
Delta region – aims to address growing
local demand for quality custom CCM
used in biopharmaceuticals, vaccines,
and novel therapeutics.
Leveraging in-house formulation
knowledge, Merck designs custom
CCM for customers’ specific processes ing media components from qualified and shorten time to market. Product
and creates solutions that are targeted sources only, the Nantong GMP facility lead time is expected to be reduced as a
at enhancing consistency and efficiency allows for a smooth transition from result of local manufacturing.
of processes. “This investment further pilot to commercial-scale cell culture pro-
expands Merck’s footprint and capabi- duction with comprehensive regulatory In addition to CCM, Merck’s Life
lities in China, showcasing our com- documentation. Along with tailor-made Science business offers an extensive
mitment to the development of the local dry powder CCM products, customised range of products, including cell lines,
biopharma industry,” said Mr. Roy Wu, technical and operational assistance bioreactors, filters, resins, chromato-
Managing Director of the Life Science will also be provided to support local graphic, pharmaceutical raw materials,
business sector, Merck China. Apply- biopharma manufacturers’ processes and excipients.
BIOPLASTICS
PLA biopolymers firm, Emirates Biotech, launched

in UAE

SS Royal Kit Emirates Investment agreement recently. Emirates
and Global Biopolymers Industries Biotech, formerly known as
have joined forces to set up polylactic Gulf Biopolymers Industries,
acid (PLA) biopolymers company, will have its headquarters in
Emirates Biotech, to spearhead the pro- Dubai and is planning to build
duction and marketing of the biopoly- a PLA production facility in the
mers across the Middle East, Africa, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
and India.
Emirates Biotech will start
Shaikh Suhail Ali Saeed Rashed commercial operations in early
Al-Maktoum and Dr. Shadi Jabari, 2025 and intends to start con-
on behalf of SS Royal Kit Emirates wijn, on behalf of Global Biopoly- struction of its first PLA production
Investment, and Mr. Theodorus Ever- mers Industries, signed the partnership plant in the UAE before 2026.

Chemical Weekly July 30, 2024 157

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