The alliance will accelerate process development and clinical material production at small biotech start-ups focusing on novel drug development for which Samsung BioLogics, which is the specialized biotechnology arm of Samsung, acts as a contract manufacturer. Under the agreement, Merck KGaA will provide process development and support technical training, in addition to its Mobius single-use systems to Samsung BioLogics.

Merck KGaA’s Mobius single-use manufacturing systems deliver solutions from buffer and media preparation, bioreactor, clarification, chromatography, virus clearance, ultrafiltration/diafiltration to formulation and fill.

The new MoU is an extension of an MoU signed in 2014 that encompasses a long-term supply agreement where Merck KGaA would provide raw materials for biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Korean electronics giant Samsung is aggressively pursuing biosimilars [1]. Merck KGaA, on the other hand, sold its biosimilars business to Fresenius Kabi in September 2017 [2].

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Reference
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Samsung makes biosimilars deal with Biogen Idec [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2017 Dec 1]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/News/Samsung-makes-biosimilars-deal-with-Biogen-Idec
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Fresenius Kabi acquires Merck KGaA’s biosimilars business [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2017 Dec 1]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Pharma-News/Fresenius-Kabi-acquires-Merck-KGaA-s-biosimilars-business

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