JSR Corp. (Tokyo) announced that it entered into an agreement to transfer its bioprocess materials business to Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, subject to closing conditions. The proposed transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
Based in Belgium, the chromatography business delivers chromatography solutions to pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers around the world. Renowned for its high-performance Amsphere™ A3 and Amsphere™ A+ Protein A resins, the business provides superior purification performance and process robustness across a broad spectrum of monoclonal antibodies. The Amsphere™ Protein A resins, developed through close collaboration among JSR group companies including JSR, KBI Biopharma, and JSR Life Sciences, have set new standards in purification efficiency. This announcement follows Merck KGaA’s sale of its Surface Solutions business to GNMI; and the acquisition of Springworks Therapeutics.
Protein A chromatography is essential for the purification of monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic proteins, critical for treating cancers, autoimmune diseases, and infectious conditions. This process ensures high purity, improved drug safety, and enhanced manufacturing efficiency, ultimately accelerating patient access to innovative treatments.
The Life Science business of Merck (operating as operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada) brings a robust portfolio of downstream solutions to the table, encompassing advanced filtration technologies, chromatography resins, buffers and chemicals, hardware and systems, integrated technologies, and validation services. These offerings empower customers to streamline drug development and manufacturing with enhanced speed, safety, and reliability.
This proposed strategic business transfer aligns with JSR’s vision to concentrate resources on high-impact areas.