Merck announced today that it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire Biochrom AG located in Berlin, Germany. The company, with approximately 60 employees and sales of approximately € 13 million in 2011, specializes in the production and marketing of cell-culture media and buffer solutions. The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions such as the approval of the respective antitrust authority. Closing of the transaction is expected in the fourth quarter of 2012.
The acquisition will strengthen Merck Millipore's Process Solutions business unit, which provides products, services and solutions that simplify production complexity for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturers. Biochrom's cell-culture media products are highly complementary and innovative, adding liquid cell-culture media and buffers including serum-free products and disposable packaging solutions to the existing portfolio.
"With Biochrom we have a great opportunity to deliver an expanded portfolio of cell- culture media products to our global customers and address a growing demand for ready-to-use liquid solutions that drive safety and efficiency in the development and manufacture of clinical and commercial drug materials," said Robert Yates, head of the Merck Millipore division.
Dr. Bernd Frenzel, CEO of Biochrom AG, said: "Merck Millipore is the ideal partner for Biochrom. With Merck Millipore we will be able to leverage their industry relationships and global footprint to reach more customers and offer a more comprehensive portfolio of media and buffers."
It is planned to maintain Biochrom’s operations in Berlin. Biochrom’s activities will be part of Merck Millipore's Process Solutions business unit.
About Cell Culture Media
A growth medium or culture medium is a liquid or solution designed to support the growth of micro organisms or mammalian cells. There are different types of media for growing different types of cells.
Modern cell-culture media are fully chemically defined, balanced blends of amino acids, salts, vitamins and sugars, which supply essential nutrients required for cell growth in an artificial environment, such as e.g. the biopharmaceutical production of a monoclonal antibody. These media are entirely free of animal-derived components and represent the purest and most consistent cell culture environment.
About Process Solutions
The Process Solutions business unit of Merck Millipore offers products, services and solutions to simplify the complexity in advancing therapeutic molecules to market. The business unit adheres to the highest standards in the production of raw materials and strives to streamline the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing process.
About Merck KGaA
Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of € 10.3 billion in 2011, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by more than 40,000 employees in 67 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.