BURLINGTON, Mass. — MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced that Merck’s Life Science division has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the chromatography business of JSR Life Sciences. The acquisition will strengthen MilliporeSigma’s downstream bioprocessing portfolio with advanced Protein A chromatography solutions designed to enhance the efficiency and scalability of biopharmaceutical production. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
“This acquisition will strengthen our position in the bioprocessing market and underscores our commitment to long-term investment in monoclonal antibody production technologies,” said Sebastián Arana, Head of Process Solutions, Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “By combining JSR’s Protein A expertise with our portfolio, we can further enable customers to advance the speed, efficiency, and reliability of antibody therapy production.”
Protein A chromatography plays a critical role in purifying monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic proteins used in treatments for cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. The process ensures high purity and improved drug safety while accelerating manufacturing timelines—helping patients gain faster access to life-saving therapies.
Based in Belgium, JSR Life Sciences’ chromatography business employs more than 50 people and supplies purification technologies to biopharma manufacturers worldwide. The company’s Amsphere A3 and Amsphere A+ Protein A resins are known for their high performance and robustness across a wide range of monoclonal antibodies.
“This acquisition positions our innovative Amsphere Protein A technologies for even greater global impact under Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s renowned platform—enabling more customers worldwide to accelerate therapies to market with enhanced speed and confidence,” said Tim Lowery, President of JSR Life Sciences.
MilliporeSigma offers an extensive range of downstream solutions, including industry-leading filtration systems, chromatography resins, buffers and chemicals, and validation services. With the addition of JSR’s Protein A technology, the company will further enhance its capabilities to accelerate next-generation biologic therapies and support customers in optimizing biomanufacturing efficiency and quality.
