-- Focus on improving and optimizing drug discovery, development and 
manufacturing
-- Integrated lab with customizable solutions, validation services, training 
and hands-on applications
-- Shanghai center is newest and largest addition to Merck's global network of 
nine M Lab(TM) Collaboration Centers 

Merck, a leading science and technology company, opened its M Lab(TM) 
Collaboration Center in Shanghai, the company's largest of nine centers 
worldwide.

Photo - 
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1200596/MilliporeSigma_M_Lab_Shanghai.jpg

"With the booming pharmaceutical industry in Asia and greater emphasis on novel 
drug therapies, we see an increase in R&D on leading-edge treatments including 
cell and gene therapies in China," said Udit Batra, member of the Merck 
Executive Board and CEO, Life Science. "Our M Lab(TM) Collaboration Center 
offers customizable solutions and services that help bio pharmaceutical and 
biologics companies improve their processes from drug discovery, development to 
manufacturing — saving costs and increasing speed to market." 

With a total lab size of approximately 10,000m2, Merck's newest M Lab(TM) 
Collaboration Center is located in Pudong, at the heart of the biomedical 
sciences and research community in Shanghai.

The new M Lab(TM) Collaboration Center in Shanghai offers customizable 
solutions tailored for China's Life Science community to help advance drug 
development. It includes Pilot Scale and Process Development support labs that 
offer non-GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) lab space where pharmaceutical and 
biopharmaceutical manufacturers can explore ideas, learn innovative techniques 
and work side-by-side with the company's scientists and engineers to solve 
critical process development and production challenges. Customers can 
participate in product demonstrations, hands-on training, formal bioprocessing 
educational courses and experiments, as well as apply best practices and new 
approaches to develop, optimize and scale-up processes and simplify global 
technology transfer.

Customers will also be able to tap into the following Merck offerings:

 - Lab Management Software: This digital platform helps scientists improve 
efficiency and processes by automating workflows and connecting lab instruments 
via the cloud. The software centralizes research information, allowing 
researchers to move away from transferring and documenting data by hand, 
increasing productivity and helping them to avoid costly errors. 
- Customized Cell Culture Media facility: This facility develops cell culture 
media, which are used in the production of biopharmaceuticals and will be used 
for non-GMP pilot production. 
- Solid Dose Formulation facility: This facility helps ensure drugs in 
tablet/capsule/powder form contain high quality excipients and active 
pharmaceutical ingredients. This facility will support customers in China and 
around the world. 

Additionally, the center will host a new BioReliance(R) End-to-End Solutions 
GMP manufacturing facility offering contract development manufacturing 
organization services to customers in China and Asia-Pacific. 

As a leading innovator in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry, 
Merck is committed to playing an active role in China's transformation into an 
innovation- driven economy. Through this new center, Merck will collaborate 
with local and regional customers to increase drug quality and safety and 
provide training and knowledge transfer.

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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 €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: Gangolf.schrimpf@merckgroup.com Phone: +49 6151 72-9591