Linking biotechnology and pharmaceuticals
Merck Serono represents the link between innovative biotechnology and established pharmaceutical science – a link that is widely considered to offer tremendous potential. Combining Merck’s history as the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company with Serono’s leading position in the highly promising biotech sector, the new division is poised to make the most of its combined expertise.
Traditional pharmaceutical drugs are small molecules that treat the symptoms of a disease with one molecule directed at a single target. They are manufactured by chemical synthesis and typically come in tablet form.
Biopharmaceuticals are large molecules such as proteins that target the underlying mechanisms of a disease. They are capable of reaching targets not accessible with traditional medicines. Large molecules are created by living cells and are most often administered by injection.
No matter what the scientific origin, the common denominator at Merck Serono is products that adhere to the highest quality and safety standards.
Merck Serono is committed to delivering tangible benefits to patients by combining biotechnological and pharmaceutical innovation with excellence in all operations around making products.
Technical Operations is responsible within Merck Serono for all operations spanning development, manufacture, supply chain, logistics and quality management of pharmaceutical and biotechnological products. In a technology-driven matrix organization, we integrate vital associated functions such as purchasing, engineering and technology, operational excellence, capacity management, controlling, human resources, environmental health, and safety and information services.
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Merck Serono Technical Operations deploys over 5,000 people at more than 20 different production and development sites across four continents. Several pilot plants allow new product development and process improvement.
- Pharmaceutical technologies
- Solid Dose Manufacturing (Tablets, Hard Gelatine Capsules, Sachets)
- Sterile and Non-sterile Liquids Manufacturing (Ampoules, Vials, Syringes, Lyophilisates)
- Solids and Liquids Packaging
- Soft Gelatine Capsule Manufacturing
- Ointments & Creams
- Biotechnological technologies
- Biotech Manufacturing of Drug Substance
- Biotech Filling & Finish (Vials, Syringes, Cartridges, Lyophilisates)
- Packaging & Assembling
- Biotech Drug Substance & Formulation Development
- Biotech Process Development
- Devices
- The Merck Serono Biotech Center (MSBC) in Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland, operates since May 2005 under ISO 14001:2004 certification, the international environmental standard for excellence. The site, one of the largest and most technologically advanced biotech centers in the world, is designed to comply with strict standards required for manufacturing facilities by regulatory authorities in the United States, European Union, Japan, Australia and Switzerland.
For more information please click on the English version, French version or the German version of the Merck Serono Biotech Center Fact Sheet.
- Recombinant DNA technology gives us an efficient, cost-effective and consistent method of producing commercial quantities of proteins. MSBC offers the advantage of integrated R&D scale-up processes, enabling us to the translate laboratory advances into commercial realities with greater speed.