Merck & Co. Inc., (operating in the United Kingdom as MSD) and Avecia Investments Limited announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement by which Merck will acquire the biologics business of the Avecia group through a Merck affiliate (Merck Sharp & Dohme (Holdings) Limited or "MSD"). Avecia Biologics is a contract manufacturing organization with specific expertise in microbial-derived biologics. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

"At Merck we continue to execute on our strategy of expanding our biopharmaceutical expertise and manufacturing capacity," said John T McCubbins, senior vice president, Biologics and Therapeutic Protein Operations, Merck Manufacturing Division. "This transaction follows an initial strategic development and supply relationship with Avecia Biologics and will provide us with an operational facility staffed by an experienced workforce that is highly skilled in a broad portfolio of bioprocess systems."

Under the terms of the agreement, Merck will acquire Avecia Biologics Limited and all its assets, including all the company's process development and scale-up, manufacturing, quality and business support operations located in Billingham, UK. In addition to honouring all Avecia Biologics contractual commitments, Merck plans to engage in discussions with individual customers relating to their specific ongoing and future biological process development and manufacturing needs after the transaction is closed.

"Over the past ten years, Avecia Biologics has built and established an enviable reputation for bioprocess development and timely delivery of quality biopharmaceutical ingredients for our customers," said Steve Bagshaw, president, Avecia Biologics. “This acquisition recognizes these successes and now provides the exciting opportunity to focus on advancing Merck's broad early and mid-stage portfolio of biologic candidates."

Closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval, as well as other customary closing conditions. The Oligomedicines Business of the Avecia group based in the United States does not form part of this transaction.

Avecia is a privately owned biotechnology group providing contract development and manufacturing services in the fields of microbial-derived biopharmaceuticals and oligonucleotide medicines. The group’s Biologics Business, based at Billingham in the north east of the UK has been developing processes and making protein-based biologics to cGMP since 1998. Products currently being worked on include medicines targeted at forms of cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Merck & Co., Inc., of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA is called 'Merck' in the US and Canada and 'MSD' in the rest of the world. Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited is a subsidiary of Merck operating in the UK.