Merck KGaA has acquired 100% of the share capital of Beijing Skywing Technology, a leading supplier of cell-culture media products, related technical services and bioreactors for the Chinese biopharmaceutical industry. The company is headquartered in the Changping district of Beijing and currently employs 80 people. The purchase price was CYN 120 million (€14 million).

"The acquisition allows Merck to immediately establish a direct presence in this market segment in China with access to an attractive and innovative cell-culture media portfolio, close relationships to local customers, a skilled management team and a high-quality facility. These capabilities will enable Merck Millipore Process Solutions to strengthen the upstream processing offer to customers in China so that they can manufacture biopharmaceuticals safely and efficiently," said Burghard Freiberg, head of the Pharm Chemicals Solutions of the Merck Millipore division.

The Chinese biopharmaceutical market will grow by 20% over the next years, primarily driven by the local vaccine and antibody industries, according to market research companies.