Merck opens its largest Asia‑Pacific bioprocessing production center in Daejeon

Merck Life Science inaugurated a new bioprocessing plant in the Dungok district of Yuseong‑gu, Daejeon, South Korea. The facility was built with an investment of roughly 430 billion won and will produce dry‑powder cell‑culture media and related raw materials for biopharmaceutical manufacturers. The plant is expected to create about 300 new jobs and to reduce the region’s reliance on imported biotech materials. Merck’s CEO of Life Science, Jean‑Charles Wirth, highlighted the centre’s role in strengthening supply stability for the Asia‑Pacific market.

The new centre expands Merck’s manufacturing footprint in Asia‑Pacific, which could increase regional sales of life‑science products. The investment also signals Merck’s commitment to local supply chains, potentially improving margins for customers and supporting the company’s in‑region‑for‑region strategy.

  • Some sources report the site size as 42,900 sqm, about 43,000 sqm, or 44,500 sqm.
  • One source cites an investment of 450 billion won, which differs from the 430 billion won figure in other materials.

Sources