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Darmstadt (dpa) - The Darmstadt-based Merck Group is expanding its offering for medical customers in the Corona crisis with a takeover.
The chemical and pharmaceutical company is taking over the Hamburg-based mRNA contract manufacturer and developer Amptec, as Merck announced on Thursday.
The takeover strengthens the capacities for the development and production of mRNA for customers who use it in vaccines, treatments and diagnostics against Covid-19 and numerous other diseases.
Merck did not disclose the purchase price for the Hamburg company with more than 40 employees.
Novel mRNA vaccines are in great demand in the corona pandemic.
The assembly instructions consist of the mRNA molecule, on the basis of which the body cells produce the virus protein.
The body then develops its immune response against this.
Both the US company Moderna and the Mainz biotech company Biontech with their partner Pfizer have developed mRNA vaccines that are approved in the EU to fight the coronavirus.
"The success of mRNA-based vaccines against Covid-19 paves the way for the accelerated development of such therapeutics for numerous other diseases," said Merck boss Stefan Oschmann.
According to the information, Amptec's technology for mRNA production is characterized, among other things, by high purity and flexibility.
In combination with Merck's knowledge, the entire mRNA value chain can be covered.
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In its laboratory business, Merck benefits from the high demand from pharmaceutical customers and researchers.
The group supplies laboratory supplies to more than 50 corona vaccine developers worldwide as well as products and reagents for diagnostics.
Communication from Merck