FUJIFILM TO ACQUIRE MERCK BIOMANUFACTURING NETWORK
Fujifilm purchases Merck contract manufacturing and service subsidiaries Diosynth and MSD Billingham
February 28, 2011
TOKYO and WHITEHOUSE STATION, NJ., February 28, 2011 FUJIFILM Corporation and Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement by which Fujifilm will acquire the Merck BioManufacturing Network, a leading provider of contract manufacturing and development services for the biopharmaceutical industry and wholly owned by Merck.
"Fujifilm continues to build upon its ongoing commitment to delivering pharmaceutical business," said Shigetaka Komori, President and Chief Executive Officer of FUJIFILM Corporation. "This acquisition provides an important addition to our pharmaceutical business with diverse capabilities and technical expertise in production of protein therapeutics."
Under the terms of the agreement, Fujifilm will purchase all of the equity interests in two Merck subsidiaries (Diosynth RTP, LLC and MSD Biologics (UK) Limited) which together own all assets of the Merck BioManufacturing Network comprising facilities located in Research Triangle Park, NC (Diosynth RTP, LLC) and Billingham, UK (MSD Biologics (UK) Limited); and including manufacturing contracts; business support operations and a highly skilled workforce. As part of the agreement with Fujifilm, Merck / MSD has committed to certain continued development and manufacturing activities with these two companies. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
"When Merck / MSD combined its biopharmaceutical manufacturing services businesses in the U.S. and UK into the Merck BioManufacturing Network, we established one of the world's leading biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing organizations," said Willie A. Deese, EVP and President, Merck Manufacturing Division. "With this transaction, Merck / MSD becomes a key customer that will continue to benefit from the expertise and experience of the combined businesses in biologics development and manufacturing."
The effectiveness of the agreement is subject to the expiration or earlier termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, if applicable, as well as other customary closing conditions.
About FUJIFILM Corporation
FUJIFILM Corporation is one of the major operating companies of FUJIFILM Holdings. Since its founding in 1934, the company has built up a wealth of advanced technologies in the field of photo imaging, and in line with its efforts to become a comprehensive healthcare company, Fujifilm is now applying these technologies to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the Medical and Life Science fields. Fujifilm is also expanding growth in the highly functional materials business, including flat panel display materials, and in the graphic systems and optical devices businesses.
Fujifilm's corporate philosophy is: We will use leading-edge, proprietary technologies to provide top-quality products and services that contribute to the advancement of culture, science, technology and industry, as well as improved health and environmental protection in society. Our overarching aim is to help enhance the quality of life of people worldwide. Through its corporate philosophy, Fujifilm demonstrates its commitment to making a significant contribution to society.
For more information, please visit http://fujifilm.jp.
About Merck
Today's Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships that donate and deliver our products to the people who need them.
For more information, visit www.merck.com.
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