MilliporeSigma reports that it has invested more than €300 million ($324.5 million) into a new bioprocessing production center in Daejeon, South Korea. The new site is the largest investment by the company’s life science business sector in Asia-Pacific, according to a company spokesperson, who adds that the investment is expected to create approximately 300 additional jobs by the end of 2028.
MilliporeSigma is the U.S. and Canada life science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
“The Asia-Pacific region is home to a large number of institutions that conduct leading-edge and innovative research, manufacturing and services in areas such as biotechnology, mRNA, and gene therapy,” said Matthias Heinzel, member of the executive board and CEO life science, Merck KGaA. “Expanding our presence in the region will bring us even closer to our customers in this evolving and dynamic market. Our goal is to foster deep collaboration to increase the speed in bringing new therapies to patients.”
The facility has been designed to support biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in process development, clinical research, and commercial manufacturing of biologics, including vaccines, cell and gene therapies, and protein-based therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies.
The new bioproduction center will provide essential biotech products such as dry powder cell culture media, process liquids, pre-GMP small-scale manufacturing and sterile sampling systems. Covering an area of 43,000 m2, the facility will include advanced production capacities, a distribution center, and an automated warehouse.
