Anchored by Merck's "in-region-for-region" supply strategy, the Daejeon production hub delivers a comprehensive portfolio spanning early-stage process development to commercial manufacturing.
Manufacturing capabilities encompass dry powder and liquid cell culture media—including pre-GMP custom batches via imMEDIAte ADVANTAGE®—process liquids, ready-to-use clean-in-place (CIP) formulations, and NovaSeptum® single-use sterile sampling assemblies. All cell culture media and process reagents are synthesized using animal-component-free raw materials under uniform global quality architectures to mitigate cross-contamination risks and accelerate biopharma regulatory clearance.
The carbon-neutral-designed site eliminates on-site fossil fuel combustion by leveraging rooftop solar arrays, heat-pump networks, HVAC energy recovery modules, and integrated rainwater harvesting systems. Advanced digital controls support automated data capture and end-to-end electronic batch records to ensure strict international compliance.
The center integrates with Merck’s broader manufacturing and testing network expansion, complementing the BioReliance® biosafety testing site in Darmstadt, Germany, and industrial filtration scale-ups in Blarney, Ireland.
Executive Commentary
Jean-Charles Wirth (Member of the Executive Board of Merck, and CEO Life Science):
"Reliable access to critical materials is essential at every stage of biologics manufacturing. Daejeon brings advanced production closer to biopharma manufacturers across Asia-Pacific, giving them greater supply confidence, as they move from development to commercial scale. The center adds the regional capacity customers need and delivers the quality and consistency they expect from Merck."
Tae-Jeong Heo (Mayor of Daejeon):
"The completion of Merck’s Asia-Pacific Bioprocessing Production Center, a world-leading bioscience company, marks a historic turning point in Daejeon’s rise as a global bio hub—not just for Korea, but for the world. We will provide our full support to ensure that Merck’s foundational technologies at the Daedeok Innopolis and the capabilities of the local community can be brought together seamlessly. We will focus the city’s resources on building a world-class global bio ecosystem through close collaboration among industry, academia, research institutions, and hospitals."
