Merck KGaA’s MilliporeSigma has taken significant steps in its €1 billion initiative to establish a global mRNA network, enhancing its service portfolio to encompass all critical phases of mRNA development, production, and commercialization. MilliporeSigma recently inaugurated two new mRNA drug substance manufacturing facilities in Darmstadt and Hamburg, Germany, representing a €28 million investment that includes plans to hire 75 additional employees, according to a company announcement.
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These state-of-the-art facilities are capable of addressing a comprehensive range of mRNA services, spanning from pre-clinical activities to large-scale commercial projects. MilliporeSigma’s offerings will encompass specialized analytical development and biosafety testing tailored specifically for mRNA technologies.
These new facilities are part of MilliporeSigma’s broader €1 billion investment aimed at advancing mRNA technologies and establishing a global network for mRNA-related endeavors. The company, with a global workforce of 27,000, supplies life sciences firms with essential tools and technologies for testing and manufacturing. It also operates as a contract testing, development, and manufacturing organization, offering services to partners seeking to advance their products. In light of mRNA’s remarkable success during the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous companies are actively pursuing this promising technology.
In a recent development, England’s Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) launched a £26.4 million ($32 million) facility in Darlington, England, known as the RNA Centre of Excellence, dedicated to supporting the development and production of RNA products for clinical trials. Furthermore, China’s CanSino and AstraZeneca established a long-term mRNA manufacturing partnership in early August, spanning at least a decade. Under this agreement, CanSino will leverage its mRNA manufacturing platform to assist AstraZeneca in the research and development of specific vaccines.