Merck Millipore announces strategic alliance with Turkey-based Turgut llaç for biosimilars development

Merck Millipore to provide Provantage End-to-End solution for development and manufacture of biosimilars.

Merck Millipore's Provantage End-to-End solution is a comprehensive suite of products and services enabling biopharmaceutical companies to accelerate progress of molecules into the clinic and toward commercialization. The turnkey package includes process development, cGMP manufacturing, facility design, equipment for pilot plant production, process and equipment training, technology transfer, equipment qualification and set-up for commercialization.

Under this multi-year agreement with Turgut Ilaç, Merck Millipore will provide process development, equipment for a pilot facility, cGMP manufacturing, facility design and ultimately, technology transfer of the manufacturing process to Turgut's facility for commerical production. Use of an identical template in both pilot and commercial scale facilitates technology transfer.

Phase one of the agreement will focus on monoclonal antibody biosimilars for non-small cell lung carcinoma and rheumatoid arthritis, the first molecules of Turgut's biosimilar pipeline that will be supported by Merck Millipore under this strategic relationship. Financial terms were not disclosed.

"Biosimilars represent an important new therapeutic option and many biopharmaceutical companies around the world are investing in their development and manufacture," said Udit Batra, president and CEO, Merck Millipore. "We are excited to work with Turgut Ilaç, leveraging our end-to-end offering to help create and optimize processes and manufacturing facilities for these molecules. We look forward to helping them extend their legacy into the field of biologics and enable them to continue providing important benefits to patients in Turkey and surrounding markets."

"Turgut Ilaç was one of the founding companies of the pharmaceutical sector in Turkey and one of the first to develop generics," said Kaya Turgut, founder and chairman of the board, Turgut Ilaç. "Our business model has now evolved to focus on development and manufacture of industry leading biosimilars. To support this inititiative, we sought a provider with strong scientific knowledge and expertise that could provide turnkey support encompassing everything from process development to commercial production. With this relationship, we gain access to expertise and capabilities that will not only allow us to establish robust processes, but make the transfer of those processes from pilot scale to commercial facilities much easier and faster."