BRIEF—Merck KGaA invests in innovation hub in Southern China

German science and technology company Merck KGaA today signed an agreement with the Guangzhou Development District on innovation development in Southern China.

Under this agreement, Merck will establish an innovation hub in Guangzhou scheduled to open September 2019.

“China is a major innovation hotspot and one of our most important growth markets. We are now creating a strong platform for Merck and our partners to drive innovation in Southern China. At the same time, we are strengthening our footprint in this vibrant ecosystem of innovation,” said Kai Beckmann, a member of the executive board of Merck and CEO Performance Materials, at the signing ceremony in Guangzhou today.

Merck’s strong commitment to China is not only reflected by today’s news, but for instance also by an agreement with Alibaba Health signed in June, by the opening of a new technology center for its OLED customers in Shanghai in the same month and by the establishment of its innovation hub in Shanghai in February.

In addition, a new Life Science Center is to be opened in 2019 near Merck’s new pharmaceutical production plant in Nantong, China.

Together, the two plants represent a total investment of 250 million euros ($284 million) by Merck in China.

More than 3,500 employees work for Merck in China in its three business sectors: Healthcare, Life Science and Performance Materials.