Germany's Merck expands investment in life science in WND

A signing ceremony between Merck and Wuxi National High-Tech District is held on April 28. [Photo/wxrb.com]

German science and technology company Merck signed an agreement to expand its first Asia Pacific Mobius single-use manufacturing center in the Wuxi National High-Tech District on April 28.

The company plans to spend about $110 million expanding the existing Wuxi production site over the course of six years to increase its biopharma single-use technical components and custom design capabilities.

The move will extend its geographic footprint and strengthen its supply chain in China and the Asia-Pacific region, according to the company. It is expected to provide about 1,000 new jobs by 2024.

"For more than two decades, with support from the governments of Wuxi and China, Merck's life science endeavors have served customers across academia, biopharma and diagnostics," said Matthias Heinzel, member of the executive board of Merck and CEO of the life science sector. "The new agreement underscores Merck's continued commitment to our customers in China and the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region. Expanding local manufacturing capabilities in Wuxi for Mobius single-use technical components is key to supporting the ongoing development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics and other lifesaving and life-enhancing treatments."

Merck has carried out many expansion projects in its life science business sector around the world since 2020. Over the next five years, the company will implement investment programs worldwide in countries such as Germany, China, France, Switzerland, Ireland, and the United States. All expansion projects include clear targets for energy efficiency, water consumption, and waste treatment to help Merck meet its goal to be carbon-neutral by 2040, in line with its sustainability strategy, according to the company.