- Membrane manufacturing facility for aseptic filters will help meet customer 
demand in the growing biopharmaceutical market

- Investment of more than (EUR) 140 million creates approximately 55 new jobs 

- Construction expected to be completed in 2022

Merck, a leading science and technology company, today celebrated the 
topping-out ceremony for its new membrane production plant in Darmstadt, 
Germany. With the new facility, the company plans to expand manufacturing of 
Millipore Express(R) ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2942804-2&h=2705114534&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.merckmillipore.com%2Fmillipore-express-phf-hydrophilic-filter%2Fvx2b.qB.TW0AAAFN7ZQtMCVi%2Cnav&a=Millipore+Express%C2%AE 
) membranes, which are critical components in Millipore Express(R) filters and 
help ensure the sterility of biological drug products. The project with a 
volume of more than (EUR) 140 million is part of the (EUR) 1 billion investment 
in its global headquarters until 2025 that the company announced last year.

Photo - 
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1308804/Merck_membrane_manufacturing_image.jpg 

"As a science and technology company, we want to pave the way for new therapies 
and contribute to improving the lives of patients around the world. With this 
strategically important production facility for our Life Science business 
sector, we are investing in a future technology, enabling additional growth and 
creating new jobs at our company's global headquarters," said Stefan Oschmann, 
chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck. 

Chris Ross, interim CEO of the Life Science business, added: "As a 
world-leading life science tools and solutions provider, we play a pivotal role 
in the growing biopharmaceutical membrane market. This investment increases our 
membrane manufacturing capacity and allows for more supply chain 
diversification. It also demonstrates our commitment to advancing the 
production of new therapies and our support for bringing important drugs to 
market."

The new membrane production plant is expected to create approximately 55 new 
jobs. Construction began in March this year and is expected to be completed in 
2022, followed by production process validation and commercialization. The new, 
four-story membrane plant will house immersion membrane casting equipment, 
quality control laboratories and offices. 

Millipore Express(R) ( 
https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2942804-2&h=2705114534&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.merckmillipore.com%2Fmillipore-express-phf-hydrophilic-filter%2Fvx2b.qB.TW0AAAFN7ZQtMCVi%2Cnav&a=Millipore+Express%C2%AE 
) membranes from Merck will be manufactured at the new facility in Darmstadt, 
then processed into filters for pharmaceutical production at the company's 
existing device Center of Excellence in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, USA.

With more than 50 years of experience in sterile filtration, Merck is an 
industry leader, providing the most comprehensive portfolio of products, 
services and testing for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Millipore Express(R) 
membranes and Durapore(R) membranes are produced today at the Center of 
Excellence for membrane manufacturing in Cork, Ireland. The Merck Life Science 
Center in Cork remains a critical manufacturing facility within the company's 
global network.

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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 (EUR)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: andreas.cezanne@merckgroup.com, Phone: +49 6151 72 45946