Merck Collaborates with iCON to Offer BioReliance Turnkey Modular MAb Manufacturing Platform

MUMBAI, India - Jan. 9, 2018 - PRLog -- Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced a collaboration with IPS-Integrated Project Services, LLC and G-CON Manufacturing, Inc. to provide the most advanced 2,000L monoclonal antibody (MAb) facility and single-use process technology platform. The deal will extend Merck's BioReliance® End-to-End offering by integrating Merck's single-use process equipment, end-to-end process development capabilities and cGMP manufacturing experience into the iCON™ facility design platform, for a true turnkey modular facility solution.

"Biologics are helping to fight some of the toughest diseases worldwide, and demand for these therapies continues to grow," said Andrew Bulpin, Head of the Process Solutions business, Life Science, at Merck. "This collaboration is an innovative concept built upon Merck's years of experience in designing, constructing and running cGMP biologics production, combined with the iCON™ facility, team and design platform. It will decrease time-to-market and accelerate access to biologics to improve the lives of patients around the world."

The integrated end-to-end offering will deliver an innovative platform for fast and flexible deployment of 2,000L MAb production facilities. The hallmarks of the combined solution will include pre-fabricated cleanroom units, a structural platform based on cost-effective pre-engineered building delivery, bioprocess and single-use equipment expertise, as well as turnkey facilities capable of fast-track deployment.

This collaboration extends Merck's BioReliance® End-to-End offering — a comprehensive suite of products and services that help biopharmaceutical companies accelerate the progression of molecules into the clinic and toward commercialization. The turnkey package includes process development, cGMP manufacturing, facility design, equipment for pilot plant production, process and equipment training, technology transfer, equipment qualification and set-up for commercialization.


About Merck

Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science, water purifiaction http://www.merckmillipore.com/water-purification/ and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life – from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2016, Merck generated sales of €15.0 billion in 66 countries.

Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.