Merck and Transcenta Collaborate to Advance Continuous Bioprocessing Technologies for the Future Factory

Shanghai, November 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --November 7,A Global Leading Technology CompanyMerckWith Global Biopharmaceutical CompaniesTranscenta GroupJointly Announce a Strategic Technology Collaboration to Advance Continuous Flow Manufacturing of Therapeutic Protein Drugs

From left to right at the signing ceremony were: Dr. Ye Feng, Chief Operating Officer of Transcenta Holding; and Dr. Mai Xuankai, Vice President of Merck Bioprocess China

“Merck’s commitment and its extensive expertise in continuous flow production have enabled us to help Transcenta Holding realize its vision of fully continuous manufacturing,” said Dr. Ian Carmichael, Vice President of Bioprocess, Life Science, Merck KGaA, China. “This collaboration signifies that both companies will jointly dedicate themselves to advancing Biopharma Process 4.0 and continuous flow manufacturing processes, thereby helping patients in China and around the world gain faster access to health solutions.”

Address by Dr. Xuan Kai Mai, Vice President of Merck Bioprocess China

This unique collaboration model between the supplier and the customer enables more timely team alignment, integrating single-use, continuous, and digital bioprocess development technologies to support Transcenta Holding in developing its Integrated Continuous Bioprocessing (ICB) platform. As part of the collaboration, Merck KGaA and Transcenta Holding will jointly develop an industry-first single-use flow-through polishing purification system, which is also a key element of Transcenta Holding’s Integrated Continuous Bioprocessing platform.

This partnership will span multiple years, with the first phase dedicated to the development and design of process technologies, single-use systems, and automation, while the second phase will focus on expanding the scope of process and digital technologies to optimize continuous flow production. This highly collaborative relationship will leverage Merck’sBioContinuum™ PlatformAnd extensive expertise in continuous flow manufacturing technology helps to realize Transcenta Holding’s vision of implementing comprehensive continuous flow manufacturing technology in GMP production in China.

““To fulfill our mission of providing high-quality and affordable innovative biologics to patients worldwide, Transcenta is actively advancing our high-productivity ICB platform to manufacture any protein biologic by harnessing the power of process intensification, automation, and continuous flow bioprocessing,” said Dr. Guangcheng Huang, Chief Technology Officer at Transcenta. “Merck’s BioContinuum™ platform and extensive product portfolio make it an ideal partner to help us accelerate and unlock the potential of our ICB platform.”

Address by Dr. Ye Feng, Chief Operating Officer of Transcenta Holding

By continuously evolving the BioContinuum™ platform, Merck integrates intensified, interconnected, and continuous flow processes with software, automation, and analytical technologies, thereby helping manufacturers achieve the goals of Biopharma 4.0 and actively driving the transformation toward continuous flow processing. Biopharma 4.0 refers to enhancing the digitalization and connectivity of products, supply chains, and business models to advance production. It represents a fully end-to-end bioprocess that digitally connects all systems and equipment. Merck is the first company to leverage itsBio4C™ Software Suite, a vendor that integrates advanced bioprocess development technologies with software, automation, and analytical technologies into a single environment.

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