Supplying the Asia-Pacific Hub Factory
to CDMO and Others
Global pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Merck will invest approximately 470 billion KRW to build a raw material manufacturing plant in Daejeon. The company plans to develop its factory in Korea, which has become a hub for global pharmaceutical manufacturing, into a base for the Asia-Pacific region and supply products to CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) companies and others.
Nathan Everhardt, in charge of the single-use precision sampling equipment 'Novaseptum' to be produced at Merck's Daejeon Bioprocessing Production Center, is explaining the importance of sampling in biomanufacturing processes at the 'Merck Bio Forum Korea 2025' held on the 15th at EL Tower in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Tae Won Choi
On May 15, at EL Tower in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Merck announced these plans during the 'Merck Bio Forum Korea 2025'. Sebastian Arana, Vice President of Merck, stated, "We plan to produce products that have been manufactured in the United States or Europe in Daejeon and supply them more quickly and conveniently throughout the Asia-Pacific region." He added, "This is part of Merck's 'In the region, for the region' strategy, which aims to enhance the quality of customer service."
Merck plans to invest 300 million euros (approximately 470 billion KRW) to establish a bioprocessing production center in Daejeon with a floor area of 44,500 square meters (about 13,000 pyeong), targeting operation in 2026. At this production center, Merck will manufacture 'dry powder cell culture media (DPM)', a key nutrient for cell culture; 'process liquids (PL)' essential for pH control, cleaning, and purification; and the single-use precision sampling equipment 'sterile sampling system (NS)' for precise, contamination-free sampling of small quantities. The raw materials and products produced at this facility are expected to be supplied not only to domestic companies such as Samsung Biologics, Celltrion, and Lotte Biologics, but also to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
A Merck representative explained, "The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing biopharmaceutical market in the world, with explosive growth in demand for therapies that require sophisticated processes, such as cell therapies and antibody drugs." The representative added, "These three products are essential materials for biopharmaceutical production and are among the most sought-after items by our customers."
It is known that Daejeon was ultimately selected as the site due to the active cooperation of Daejeon Metropolitan City and the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with KAIST. Initially, Merck had also considered other locations, including Songdo in Incheon and Siheung in Gyeonggi Province, along with Daejeon.
Merck expects that, through the establishment of the Daejeon Bioprocessing Production Center, biomanufacturers in the Asia-Pacific region will benefit from: securing additional manufacturing capacity and reducing lead time (the elapsed time between order and delivery) by shortening delivery distances; enhancing sourcing and supply chain resilience through localized production; improving sustainability by streamlining logistics through shorter delivery routes; and responding faster and more reliably compared to existing supply chains in Europe and the United States.
Dr. Christian Weber, who is responsible for the strategic development of Merck's upstream manufacturing network and capabilities, stated, "Stable and timely supply of bioprocessing materials is a critical requirement for pharmaceutical companies worldwide." He added, "The new bioproduction center to be established in Daejeon will greatly expand the manufacturing capacity and capabilities for essential bioprocessing products for companies in the Asia-Pacific region."
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