Darmstadt, Germany – June 22, 2009 – Merck KGaA is presenting Eshmuno™ S, a new-generation chromatography resin for biopharmaceutical applications, at the Biological Production Forum in Düsseldorf from June 24 to 26, 2009.

The new cation exchanger Eshmuno™ S was specifically developed by Merck for purification of monoclonal antibodies (mABs). James Easson, Marketing Manager at Merck, says: “With Eshmuno™ S we are responding to the wishes of our partners in the biopharmaceutical industry. New possibilities are now available to those seeking to increase efficiency and reduce costs in biomolecule purification processes.” This statement is confirmed by extensive studies.

New standards for chromatography

Eshmuno™ S sets standards with respect to binding capacity for antibodies. Thanks to optimized tentacle adsorption, its binding capacity is increased to about 150% compared with other surface-grafted cation exchangers. In addition, a hydrophilic polyvinyl ether base matrix specifically designed by Merck for chromatography allows higher flow rates – thus speeding up biopharmaceutical processes. Both factors – tentacle adsorption and base matrix – increase productivity by up to 500% compared to other soft-gel ion exchangers.

The use of Eshmuno™ S instead of a protein A-based capture step can reduce purification costs by up to 30%. Eshmuno™ S can be safely packed into production-

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scale biochromatography columns by simple flow packing, axial compression or using water. This reduces both costs and development times for the biopharmaceutical industry.

Suitable for Eshmuno™ S, Merck offers a portfolio of column sanitization chemicals under the brand name EMPROVE® bio. These comply with current regulatory requirements. Besides this, the numerous EMPROVE® bio products also offer safety along the entire biopharmaceutical process chain.

Tried and tested and available immediately

Eshmuno™ S is immediately usable and available for the capture step and intermediate purification (after protein A) of monoclonal antibodies (mABs) and biomolecules. Merck is presenting the new resin as the first product of the new Eshmuno™ product group.

Live at the Biological Production Forum

As one of the sponsors, Merck is inviting to the Biological Production Forum in Düsseldorf. At different venues every year, this acknowledged forum brings together decision makers and specialists of the biopharmaceutical industry and related branches. More information can be found at www.biologicalproduction.com. Technical data on Eshmuno™ S can be accessed at www.merck4pharma.com/biopharma.

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Merck Chemicals is one of the world’s leading suppliers to the biopharmaceutical industry. From a single source it supplies both raw materials and process materials for all steps along the biopharmaceutical process chain. The product portfolio includes resins for purifying a wide variety of chemicals and enzymes for technical challenges in the preparation, purification and formulation processes. In addition, Merck offers its customers extensive support in all application and regulatory issues.

Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total revenues of € 7.6 billion in 2008, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by 32,700 employees in 60 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck’s operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and free shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.