Merck KGaA Exec On Gearing For mRNA Prime Time, De-Risking Manufacturing

Benoit Opsomer, vice-president and head of bioprocessing, Asia Pacific, Merck Life Science, tells Scrip in an interview how recent targeted CDMO buyouts put the German group in pole position with services across the mRNA value chain, even as it supports global players such as BioNTech. Striking multi-country expansion of manufacturing footprint, including in China, is also underway amid rising demand for biopharma single-use assemblies.  

Merck KGaA Darmstadt
Merck Primes To Offer End-To-End Services For Key New Modalities • Source: Getty Images

Merck KGaA, which has enabled important cost efficiencies and record go-to-market timelines for COVID-19 vaccines globally, is doubling down on plans for its messenger RNA (mRNA) offerings and single-use technologies.

While the German group already collaborates with frontline mRNA players and has long-standing experience in producing lipids - one of the key components for the formulation of mRNA therapeutics, including...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Business

Summit’s Ivonescimab Shows Significance On PFS, But Not Overall Survival

 
• By 

In a study intended to show similar benefit in western patients, PD-1/VEGF-targeting ivonescimab met a progression-free survival endpoint, but missed on OS.

Sanofi Bid For Second COPD Approval Hurt By Mixed Itepekimab Data

 
• By 

One Phase III trial hits but a second study misses by a mile.

Astellas Gets CLDN.18.2-Targeted ADC From China’s Evopoint

 
• By 

Astellas will pay $130m up front for near-global rights to a Phase I/II antibody-drug conjugate that will add to its portfolio of CLDN.18.2-targeted drugs, including Vyloy.

All Over For iTeos But Applause For Plan To Return Cash Fast

 
• By 

The company has moved quickly to wind down operations after its anti-TIGIT pact with GSK collapsed.

More from Scrip

In Brief: Neurocrine Details New Data For Schizophrenia Drug Moving To Phase III

 

Neurocrine reports new details of positive Phase II results in schizophrenia and a favorable safety and cardiovascular profile for its first-in-class oral M4 agonist, now moving to Phase III trials.

Astellas Gets CLDN.18.2-Targeted ADC From China’s Evopoint

 
• By 

Astellas will pay $130m up front for near-global rights to a Phase I/II antibody-drug conjugate that will add to its portfolio of CLDN.18.2-targeted drugs, including Vyloy.

Merck & Co./Daiichi Pull Patritumab Deruxtecan BLA On Disappointing OS

 

Patritumab deruxtecan is the lead antibody drug conjugate in a $22bn deal signed between the two partners, with the decision marking a disappointing setback