Merck has inaugurated its new Launch and Technology Center (LTC) at its site in Darmstadt, Germany. The company is investing €160 million in this project as part of a more comprehensive €1.5 billion program for all business areas at the Darmstadt site between 2022 and 2025. The LTC aims to bridge the gap between research and commercial production of small molecule therapies. It will support projects in the transition from research and development to commercial production and accelerate the market launch of new drugs.
The futuristic looking building spans 14,000 m² and contains laboratories, offices and flexible production facilities for tablets and the processing of highly potent active ingredients in medium-sized batches. Its sustainable design features 1,600 m² of rooftop solar panels, geothermal energy systems, advanced wastewater management, and green roofing to minimize resource consumption. According to Teresa Rodó, Head of Global Healthcare Operations, the LTC will enable Merck to carry out internal activities previously outsourced, providing greater control, process influence, product understanding, and flexibility. This leads to a faster timeline than in the past and will strengthen innovation and long-term competitiveness.
The opening was celebrated in a festive setting with many guests, including representatives from politics, members of the Merck family owners and the board of directors. The photo above shows, from left to right: Jan Hilligardt, President of the Darmstadt Regional Government, Simon Thelen, Deputy Chairman of the Family Council and the Shareholders’ Council of E. Merck KG; Teresa Rodó, Head of Global Healthcare Operations; Khadija Ben Hammada, Executive Board Member and Chief People Officer; Belén Garijo, CEO and Chair of the Executive Board; Danny Bar-Zohar, Executive Board Member and CEO Healthcare; Johannes Baillou, Chairman of the Board and of the Family Council of E. Merck KG; Andreas Zörb, Project Manager Launch & Technology Center; and Kai Beckmann, Executive Board Member and CEO Electronics.
- Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
