Prime Highlights:
MilliporeSigma the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany-acquires HUB Organoids
The acquisition further fuels MilliporeSigma’s work to advance next-generation biology solutions, with simpler drug development.
Key Background:
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced today that MilliporeSigma, its Life Science business, has successfully completed the acquisition of HUB Organoids B.V., enhancing its capabilities in next-generation biology. The acquisition, finalized on December 23, 2024, was aimed at advancing the development of new medicines, though terms of the deal were not disclosed.
This acquisition further strengthens MilliporeSigma’s existing portfolio of cell culture media, reagents, and benchtop instrumentation. HUB’s organoid technology, which creates 3D miniaturized organ analogs, offers more accurate simulations of human biology. This innovation enables researchers to gather faster drug response data, accelerating the drug discovery process and maintaining scalability.
Jean-Charles Wirth, Head of Science and Lab Solutions for Merck KGaA’s Life Science business, highlighted the significant potential of organoid technology in drug discovery. He emphasized that HUB’s advanced technology, combined with MilliporeSigma’s own innovations in 3D cell culture, provides a valuable resource for researchers to assess drug responses at earlier stages.
The acquisition also includes HUB’s foundational patent portfolio on organoids, as well as its services in model generation, assay development, and high-throughput screening. These additions will significantly bolster MilliporeSigma’s offerings to academic, biotech, and pharmaceutical customers involved in drug development.
With approximately 70 employees, the HUB team is celebrating the acquisition at its campus in Utrecht, Netherlands. This integration will enable MilliporeSigma to accelerate innovation, enhancing its ability to bring drugs to market faster and more effectively. The acquisition signals MilliporeSigma’s continued commitment to providing differentiated solutions that support the discovery of safer and more effective treatments in the life sciences industry.
