MilliporeSigma Invests over $131 Million toward French Manufacturing Services

MilliporeSigma, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) and life science business of Merck, is having its life science business strengthen its manufacturing capabilities for single-use assemblies, a technology for the production of COVID-19 vaccines and other lifesaving therapies, by investing $131.5 million in Molsheim, France. According to the CDMO, the investment is the largest ever in the 50-year history of the site and is expected to create more than 800 jobs by the end of 2028.

The expansion will further increase capacity for the manufacturing of single-use assemblies belonging to the branded Mobius portfolio. The 37,000-square-foot ISO7 clean rooms, administrative building, and new logistics warehouse are planned to be operational by the end of 2024, and will gradually ramp up to full production through 2028.

"France is central to our strategy to drive long-term growth and expand our global leadership position in life science," notes Matthias Heinzel, member of the executive board of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and CEO of the company’s life science sector. "In recent years, many biopharmaceutical manufacturers have turned to single-use technologies for their flexibility, cost savings, speed, and reduced contamination risk, leading to double-digit market growth for this segment. The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced this trend. The investment will accelerate the delivery of critical products and technologies our customers need to bring breakthrough treatments to patients in need around the world."