Navi Mumbai : Global Pharmaceutical and Chemical Company, Merck Limited, opened its new Application and Technology Centre at Nerul, Navi Mumbai. Spread over 1700 sq. ft., the state-of-the-art Centre will enable Merck to offer customized application and technology solutions to its customers in fields ranging from drug discovery to automobile and decorative paints. Mr. Klaus Bischoff, Head of Laboratory Solutions Business Unit, Merck Millipore and Dr. Marek Dziki, Managing Director, Merck Ltd [India] officially inaugurated the new facility in the presence of senior members and guests.

“Following the acquisition of Millipore, a leading life sciences company, earlier last year; Merck Chemicals consolidated its position by covering the entire value chain for our pharma and biopharma customers, offering integrated solutions beyond chemicals. Supported by over 300 years of experience, the new Application and Technology Centre will be an ideal platform to showcase Merck’s capabilities in the high growth fields of Biopharmaceutical Process Solutions, Laboratory Essentials as well as Pigments and Cosmetics for our customers in India”, remarked Mr. Bischoff on the occasion.

Commenting on the sidelines, Dr. Dziki said, “Merck Chemicals offers over 15,000 products that cater to various industries which are demonstrating a double-digit growth rate, like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemicals industries, academia, food and beverages, automobiles and cosmetics. In this fiercely competitive environment, customization alone is the key. With the new Application and Technology Centre, Merck will develop different formulations and new methods as per our customers’ needs; thereby giving them the necessary edge over competition.”

Earlier, the Indian pharmaceutical industry had been characterized by a core competency in generics’ manufacturing and relatively immature capabilities in R&D. This outlook has evolved substantially since the 1990s and Indian companies have been making investments towards expanding drug discovery and development capabilities.

Mr. Prantik Mukherjee, Head – Merck Millipore, added, “The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art application, demonstration and quality control laboratories that meet stringent international standards. We will also offer resources for sales force training, for Merck as well as our customers. The aim is to anticipate and not just meet customer needs; thereby verifying our claim of being a true partner in their business. For example, with respect to our pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers, our goal is to help them reduce time to market through our products and services.”

The Application and Technology Centre has 8 laboratories where Merck can create and demonstrate its customized solutions. In addition to chromatography analysis, there are laboratories for separation analysis, a critical method in the identification and separation of new chemical entities and new biological entities. Four of the labs address cosmetic actives, cosmetic pigments, printing and coating applications. These will provide technical services like colour and shade matching where market samples can be evaluated and suitable options recommended. Basic formulations and concepts for all applications and promotional demo tools for coatings, printing, packaging and cosmetics will also be provided at these labs. The lab will also undertake experiments to create new customized solutions for its customers unanticipated needs.

Besides, this Centre will open up new vistas in water and chemical analysis capabilities in India. By bringing in the cutting edge global technology and benchmark in India, Merck Millipore would provide much needed support to Industrial and public customers and help them benefit by developing customized products for both domestic and international markets. These products will be exported from India to countries across the world.

Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of € 7.7 billion in 2009, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by approximately 40,000 (including Merck Millipore) employees in 64 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck’s operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S.subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.