Merck Millipore to acquire Biochrom

Merck Millipore is to acquire the cell-culture media and buffer solutions provider Biochrom for an undisclosed fee.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2012 and will strengthen Merck Millipore's process solutions business unit, which offers products to simplify production complexity for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturers.

Biochrom's portfolio – which includes liquid cell-culture media and buffers such as serum-free products and disposable packaging solutions – is seen as highly complementary to the company's existing offering.

The purchased firm is based in Berlin and employs around 60 people, generating sales of approximately 13 million euros (10.3 million pounds) last year.

Robert Yates, head of Merck Millipore, said: "With Biochrom we have a great opportunity to … address a growing demand for ready-to-use liquid solutions that drive safety and efficiency in the development and manufacture of clinical and commercial drug materials."

Earlier this month, the company expanded its portfolio with the launch of a new range of NovaSeptum bottles for use in biopharmaceutical sampling applications.