Merck Completes Acquisition of JSR Life Sciences' Chromatography Business, Strengthening Protein A Technology and Expanding Downstream Portfolio
Merck has completed the acquisition of JSR Life Sciences' chromatography business, integrating advanced Protein A technology and Amsphere™ Protein A resins into its downstream process portfolio. This acquisition strengthens Merck's ability to support the efficient and scalable purification of monoclonal antibodies, helping customers improve productivity and accelerate access to critical therapeutics. Over 50 employees from the acquired Belgian chromatography unit will join Merck, enhancing its global technical support and application expertise in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 14:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 10:32 (356h 2m after Collected)
Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced the completion of its acquisition of the chromatography business of JSR Life Sciences. This follows the agreement announced in October 2025.
Through this acquisition, Amsphere™ Protein A resin and advanced Protein A chromatography technology will be added to Merck's downstream process portfolio, enabling efficient and scalable purification of monoclonal antibodies. By combining Merck's established portfolio with these Protein A technologies, the company will help customers improve productivity and achieve reliable manufacturing from development to commercial production.
"As our customers' needs for rapid and efficient scale-up of biopharmaceutical production grow, this acquisition strengthens our downstream purification technologies," said Sebastian Arana, Head of Process Solutions, Life Science business at Merck. "By expanding our Protein A solutions, we will support the enhancement of production processes and reliable large-scale manufacturing, ultimately delivering critical therapeutics to patients faster."
With this acquisition, more than 50 employees from the Belgium-based chromatography unit will join Merck. The unit provides chromatography solutions to pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies worldwide and possesses high technical support capabilities and extensive application expertise. This will further strengthen Merck's downstream product and service offerings for antibody purification. The chromatography business will be integrated into Merck's Process Solutions portfolio, providing comprehensive support for biopharmaceutical manufacturing from process development to full-scale production.
### About Merck
Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science, and electronics. Approximately 62,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2025, Merck generated sales of €21.1 billion in 65 countries.
Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck’s technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Electronics.
### About Merck Ltd. Japan
Merck Ltd. Japan was established in 1968 as the Japanese subsidiary of Merck. It provides products and services related to life sciences, including basic research, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and drug discovery. Merck Ltd. Japan is responsible for the Life Science business and Merck's administrative functions. For more information about Merck Ltd. Japan, please click here.
Through this acquisition, Amsphere™ Protein A resin and advanced Protein A chromatography technology will be added to Merck's downstream process portfolio, enabling efficient and scalable purification of monoclonal antibodies. By combining Merck's established portfolio with these Protein A technologies, the company will help customers improve productivity and achieve reliable manufacturing from development to commercial production.
"As our customers' needs for rapid and efficient scale-up of biopharmaceutical production grow, this acquisition strengthens our downstream purification technologies," said Sebastian Arana, Head of Process Solutions, Life Science business at Merck. "By expanding our Protein A solutions, we will support the enhancement of production processes and reliable large-scale manufacturing, ultimately delivering critical therapeutics to patients faster."
With this acquisition, more than 50 employees from the Belgium-based chromatography unit will join Merck. The unit provides chromatography solutions to pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies worldwide and possesses high technical support capabilities and extensive application expertise. This will further strengthen Merck's downstream product and service offerings for antibody purification. The chromatography business will be integrated into Merck's Process Solutions portfolio, providing comprehensive support for biopharmaceutical manufacturing from process development to full-scale production.
### About Merck
Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science, and electronics. Approximately 62,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2025, Merck generated sales of €21.1 billion in 65 countries.
Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to Merck’s technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Electronics.
### About Merck Ltd. Japan
Merck Ltd. Japan was established in 1968 as the Japanese subsidiary of Merck. It provides products and services related to life sciences, including basic research, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and drug discovery. Merck Ltd. Japan is responsible for the Life Science business and Merck's administrative functions. For more information about Merck Ltd. Japan, please click here.