Global Business
GC Biopharma, Merck Germany Sign Biologics Production Pact
Dong-A Ilbo |
Updated 2026.05.14
Signs MOU with GC Green Cross and Merck Life Science
Expanded cooperation on supply of production raw materials for Allegro, Hunterase, and others
Expanded cooperation on supply of production raw materials for Allegro, Hunterase, and others
Shin Woong, Head of Operations at GC Biopharma (left), and Kim Young-im, Managing Director of Process Solutions Business at Merck Life Science, pose for a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement. Provided by GC Biopharma
GC Biopharma announced on the 14th that it has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Germany’s Merck Life Science for cooperation in biopharmaceutical development and GMP production processes. The signing ceremony, held at the headquarters of Merck Korea in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, was attended by key officials including Shin Woong, Head of Operations at GC Biopharma, and Kim Young-im, Managing Director of Process Solutions Business at Merck Life Science.Germany’s Merck is a different company from Merck (MSD) in the United States. Both trace their roots to the German Merck, but during World War I, Merck’s U.S. subsidiary was confiscated by the U.S. government and became an independent entity. The German Merck has grown into a company dealing with reagents and chemical materials, among other products. Merck Life Science is one of its business divisions. MSD, after acquiring the U.S. pharmaceutical company Sharp & Dohme, has developed into a major pharmaceutical company engaged in the development of prescription drugs, vaccines, and innovative medicines.
Under this agreement, GC Biopharma and Germany’s Merck will strengthen cooperation on the supply of raw and subsidiary materials required for the production of key biopharmaceuticals and establish a cooperative framework to enhance manufacturing process efficiency and supply stability.
Through this agreement, GC Biopharma expects to secure a stable production system for its key portfolio products, including the plasma-derived fractionation product “Alyglo,” which has been launched in the U.S. market, and the Hunter syndrome treatment “Hunterase,” and to respond flexibly to global market demand. Merck plans to provide a collaborative framework across the entire production process, from securing raw materials to offering process technology support. In particular, it aims to preemptively manage supply chain risks that may arise in the manufacturing process by stably supplying product batches that meet its stringent internal quality control standards.
GC Biopharma and Merck plan to operate regular technology and process consultative bodies to strengthen technical cooperation for manufacturing process optimization. Through these, the companies plan to share the latest process technology information and explore joint research and development, thereby solidifying their partnership.
Shin Woong, Head of Operations at GC Biopharma, said, “This collaboration will serve as an opportunity to strengthen the production and supply base for major rare disease treatments and essential medicines,” adding, “Through close technical cooperation and process optimization, we will minimize risks across manufacturing and establish a pharmaceutical production system with world-class quality competitiveness.”
Kim Young-im, Managing Director of Process Solutions Business at Merck Life Science, said, “Through this collaboration, we will support the optimal production environment so that GC Biopharma’s key therapies can be supplied stably,” and added, “Merck will continue to work to enhance the competitiveness and production efficiency of the domestic pharmaceutical and biotech industries.”
Kim Min-beom
AI-translated with ChatGPT. Provided as is; original Korean text prevails.
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