Through this MOU, the bio-industry facility to be established in Daejeon will support the pharmaceutical and bio-ecosystems in the Asia-Pacific region and focus on product production for biotech and pharmaceutical customers.
Matthias Heinzel, a member of the board of directors and CEO of the Life Science business at Merck, said, “Korea is an emerging global leader in the biotechnology industry, and this cooperation MOU reflects Merck’s commitment to actively support our customers in the Asia-Pacific region through close cooperation with the government.” He added that “the production facility under construction will play an essential role in meeting the demand for bio-industry in the Asia-Pacific region while serving as an important hub for the development of Korea’s pharmaceutical and bio-industry.”
Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Lee Chang-yang (이창양) said, “This cooperation is expected to be an opportunity for our pharmaceutical and bio-industry to take another leap forward as a national advanced industry.”
Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo said, “Daejeon is the birthplace of Korea’s bio-industry with outstanding biotech companies with excellent technology and growth potential. Every year, excellent professionals are produced and bio-health is selected as a core strategic industry for focused development.” He added that “Thanks to close cooperation with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, KOTRA, Ministry of Science and ICT, Research and Development Special Zone Promotion Foundation and strategic and differentiated investment attraction activities, we were able to sign a three-party investment cooperation MOU today. We expect Daejeon to grow into a world-class city surpassing Boston in the field of bio through this agreement.”
Prior to signing the MOU on this day, Daejeon City has been making continuous efforts to attract Merck. Mayor Lee Jang-woo met with executives at Merck’s Korean headquarters on October 26 last year and visited Merck’s headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany on November 9 to meet with CEO Matthias. At this meeting, he introduced Daejeon’s vision as a bio-infrastructure and science city.
Merck plans to support biotech companies located in Daedeok Research Complex with Daejeon City and expand research cooperation in the field of bio with leading domestic universities. Meanwhile, Merck operates three business parts: electronics, life sciences, and healthcare with 64,000 employees worldwide. Korea Merck was established in 1989 and currently employs 1,700 people.
