Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 16, JSR Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, has entered an agreement to transfer its bioprocess materials business to Merck KGaA, based in Darmstadt, Germany. The transaction, subject to standard closing conditions, is anticipated to be finalized by the end of June 2026.

The bioprocess materials business, located in Belgium, specializes in providing chromatography solutions to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide. It is well-known for its high-performance Amsphere™ A3 and Amsphere™ A+ Protein A resins, which deliver exceptional purification efficiency for a wide range of monoclonal antibodies. These resins, developed through collaboration among JSR, KBI Biopharma, and JSR Life Sciences, enhance process reliability and set benchmarks in purification performance.

This transfer follows Merck KGaA’s recent divestiture of its Surface Solutions business to GNMI and its acquisition of Springworks Therapeutics, reflecting a strategic realignment of its portfolio.

Protein A chromatography plays a vital role in purifying monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic proteins, which are essential for treating conditions such as cancers, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. This technology ensures high purity levels, improves drug safety, and boosts manufacturing efficiency, enabling faster delivery of innovative therapies to patients.

Merck’s Life Science division, operating as MilliporeSigma in the United States and Canada, offers a comprehensive suite of downstream processing solutions. These include advanced filtration systems, chromatography resins, buffers, chemicals, hardware, integrated technologies, and validation services. The portfolio supports customers in optimizing drug development and production processes, enhancing speed, safety, and reliability.

JSR stated: “This proposed strategic business transfer aligns with JSR’s vision to concentrate resources on high-impact areas.” The move allows JSR to focus on core priorities while enabling Merck to strengthen its offerings in bioprocess solutions.

The acquisition enhances Merck’s capabilities in the biopharmaceutical sector, integrating JSR’s advanced chromatography technologies into its existing framework. This aligns with the growing global demand for efficient and reliable bioprocessing solutions to support the development of cutting-edge medical treatments.

By combining JSR’s specialized resins with Merck’s robust downstream processing portfolio, the transaction is poised to streamline biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes. The Belgium-based operation will continue to serve as a hub for delivering innovative chromatography solutions to global clients.

The agreement marks a strategic step for both companies, fostering innovation in the bioprocess industry while maintaining a focus on quality and efficiency. The anticipated completion in mid-2026 will solidify Merck’s position as a leader in life sciences, supporting advancements in drug development.

This collaboration underscores the importance of high-performance purification technologies in meeting the needs of the biopharmaceutical industry, ensuring that patients worldwide benefit from safer and more accessible treatments.