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Merck has signed a defi nitive agreement to acquire the chromatography business of JSR Life Sciences, strengthening its portfolio in Protein A chromatography and downstream bioprocessing. The move is set to enhance Merck’s ability to accelerate antibody purifi cation, supporting the effi cient production of next-generation biopharmaceuticals, including monoclonal antibodies. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of Q2 2026.
“This acquisition strengthens our position in bioprocessing and demonstrates our
Strategic acquisition expands global analytical capabilities
over 400 people across three continents and maintain a signifi cant footprint co-located with client production and engineering sites.
Specac Ltd, a portfolio company of Ampersand Capital Partners and a leading provider of spectroscopy accessories and sample preparation solutions, has acquired Amax Precision Ltd (Amax), a global leader in precision contract manufacturing for analytical instruments.
The acquisition strengthens the Group’s manufacturing and technological capabilities, enhancing its ability to serve OEM partners worldwide and broadening its presence in the life sciences sector. Amax brings expertise in high-precision engineering, advanced assembly, and testing capabilities. When combined with Specac’s module-based assembly and design-driven solutions, the integration provides greater vertical integration and a comprehensive service offering. Together, the companies employ
“Joining Specac opens an exciting new chapter for us,” said Thomas Chen, Chairman of Amax. “It provides access to new global markets and supports our long-term growth strategy as we aim to take our capabilities to the next level.”
Mark Dearden, President and CEO of Specac Group, added: “This acquisition enables us to offer an expanded range of capabilities to existing customers and strengthens our position as a leading OEM partner for analytical instrumentation.”
Dave Patteson, Partner at Ampersand Capital, commented: “The integration of Amax into the Specac Group signifi cantly increases scale, enhances client offerings, and boosts contributions to life sciences. Both companies bring complementary strengths, multi-decade client relationships, and proven technical leadership.”
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by Gwyneth Astles The latest news from the science industry
New acquisition strengthens downstream processing capabilities
ongoing commitment to monoclonal antibody production technologies,” said Sebastián Arana, Head of Process Solutions, Life Science business at Merck. “By integrating JSR’s Protein A expertise with our portfolio, we can help customers increase the speed, effi ciency, and reliability of antibody therapy manufacturing.”
Protein A chromatography is a critical step in purifying monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic proteins for the treatment of cancers, autoimmune diseases, and infectious
conditions. By improving purity, safety, and production reliability, the process ensures faster patient access to vital therapies.
Based in Belgium, JSR Life Sciences’ chromatography business employs more than 50 people and is renowned for its high-performance Amsphere™ A3 and A+ Protein A resins. These resins deliver robust purifi cation performance across a wide range of monoclonal antibodies. “Under Merck’s global platform, our Amsphere™ Protein A technologies can reach more customers
worldwide, accelerating therapies to market with greater confi dence,” said Tim Lowery, President of JSR Life Sciences.
Merck’s comprehensive downstream portfolio spans fi ltration technologies, chromatography resins, buffers, chemicals, hardware, integrated systems, and validation services, helping customers optimize drug development and manufacturing with speed, safety, and reliability.
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CDMO to expand global footprint with new German facility
Vetter Pharma, a leading contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) for injectable drugs, has confi rmed plans to build a state-of-the-art production facility in Saarlouis, southwest Germany. Construction is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2026, with operations expected to begin in 2031. The fi rst phase of the project represents an investment of around €480 million.
The site, spanning approximately 95 acres, is expected to create up to 2,000 jobs over the long term. The European Commission has approved up to €47 million in state aid for the project, refl ecting its strategic importance to the region. The new facility is part of Vetter’s broader €1.5 billion expansion plan in Europe and the US, reinforcing the company’s commitment to strengthening its global manufacturing network.
“Building a new production facility in Saarland allows us to combine stability with growth,” said Senator h.c. Udo J. Vetter, Chairman of the Advisory Board. “This investment strengthens our ties to Germany’s economic landscape while supporting our role as a strategic partner to the global pharmaceutical market.”
Aerial view of the 95-acre industrial site (marked) in southwest Germany acquired by Vetter for a new commercial production facility. Credit: Vetter Pharma International GmbH
In parallel, Vetter has begun constructing a new clinical production site in Des Plaines, Illinois, USA, focusing on aseptic manufacturing for early-stage clinical development. Together, these projects underline the company’s long-term strategy to expand capacity, enhance service quality, and meet growing global demand.
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Homegrown CAR-T therapy shows early success in multiple myeloma patients
A team at Rabin Medical Center’s Davidoff Cancer Center in Israel has achieved a major milestone in cellular immunotherapy: the in- house production and administration of CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy for patients with treatment-resistant multiple myeloma.
In a fi rst cohort of three patients, the engineered T-cells successfully targeted cancer cells with no unexpected complications, allowing patients to be discharged as planned.
The approach harnesses patients’ own immune cells, genetically reprogrammed in the laboratory to recognise and attack myeloma cells, offering new hope for individuals who have exhausted conventional therapies.
The CAR-T program, run by the Samueli Integrative Cancer Pioneering Institute, integrates cutting-edge laboratory production with clinical care, representing a fully local workfl ow from T-cell engineering to patient infusion. Retroviral vectors developed in collaboration with the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin are used to equip T-cells with myeloma-specifi c receptors, enabling precise and potent anti-cancer activity.
“This achievement positions Rabin Medical Center at the forefront of advanced cancer therapy,” says Professor Gal Markel, Director of the Davidoff Cancer Center. “Beyond multiple myeloma, we aim to extend this platform to solid tumours such as lung and liver cancers, and eventually to autoimmune diseases, all produced and administered under one roof.”
With around 550 new multiple myeloma cases diagnosed annually in Israel alone, this locally produced therapy demonstrates the potential for rapid, scalable, and patient-specifi c interventions in advanced cancer care.
Early results underscore the growing impact of CAR-T therapies in transforming treatment options and highlight the promise of integrating research, manufacturing, and clinical expertise.
Images and video from the laboratory and treatment teams showcase the technology and workfl ow, underscoring the real-world application of this innovative approach.
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Dr Alessio Nahmad, Director of Biology Research at Samueli Integrative Cancer Pioneering Institute, and Dr Michal Besser, CTO at Samueli Institute. Credit: Shlomi Yosef
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