Merck Launches Next-Generation Process Technologies for Intensified Drug Production

• Technologies include first-of-its-kind cation exchange (CEX) chromatography resin for flow-through removal of mAb aggregates
• GMP-grade modified amino acids for single-fed batch processing
• New products reduce risks, improve speed and flexibility

Darmstadt, Germany, September 4, 2018 — Merck, the vibrant science and technology company, today launched three new products to help biomanufacturers navigate the evolving biopharma landscape with increased speed, greater flexibility and enhanced quality. These next-generation process intensification technologies were unveiled at the 2018 BioProcess International Conference & Exhibition, being held in Boston, Massachusetts, September 4–7, 2018.

They are:

• The Eshmuno® CP-FT resin, a first-of-its kind CEX chromatography resin for the flow-through removal of aggregates from mAb therapeutics.
• Two modified amino acids to simplify feeding and reduce total volume in cell culture:
  • Phospho-L-Tyrosine Disodium Salt EMPROVE® EXPERT
  • L-Cysteine S-Sulfate Sodium Sesquihydrate EMPROVE® EXPERT

“Merck is uniquely qualified to lead the industry through the next-generation evolution and down the path of process intensification,” said Udit Batra, member of the Merck Executive Board and CEO, Life Science. “Through these next-generation process intensification technologies, we are helping customers bring new therapies to market, delivering them to patients faster and more cost-effectively than ever before.”

Merck has seen the powerful impact the new evolution of drug manufacturing has demonstrated in the marketplace. The company estimates that next-generation processing will reduce production costs by 25 percent or more and free up manufacturing capacity by as much as 65 percent.

The Eshmuno® CP-FT CEX chromatography resin uses flow-through frontal chromatography to remove aggregates from mAb therapeutics, which can induce an immunogenic response in patients. By enabling loading capacities 10 times higher than traditional bind/elute CEX chromatography, Eshmuno® CP-FT resin reduces costs and improves productivity. It requires less resin and less buffer volume while offering a shorter processing time.

Phospho-L-Tyrosine Disodium Salt EMPROVE® EXPERT and L-Cysteine S-Sulfate Sodium Sesquihydrate EMPROVE® EXPERT, enable high concentrations of tyrosine and cysteine in cell culture feeds. Moreover, they can be integrated into the main bioprocessing feed, simplifying fed-batch process with optimized productivity and reduced risk. The only such products that meet industry quality and GMP (per IPEC) standards, these amino acids derivatives are stable and soluble at neutral pH and room temperature.

Merck representatives are available to discuss these innovative technologies at booth 1517 at the BioProcess International Conference & Exhibition, September 4-7, at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts.

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About Merck

Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science, and electronics. Around 58,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene-editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2020, Merck generated sales of € 17.5 billion in 66 countries.

Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck’s technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Electronics.