Merck sells its CDMO business to Lonza

Merck KGaA has signed a definitive agreement to sell its contract development and manufacturing business to Lonza for a mid-triple-digit million-euro amount, in a transaction expected to close in mid-2027.

Why it matters: The sale moves five United States manufacturing sites, in California, Wisconsin, Missouri and Indiana, to the largest dedicated contract manufacturer and leaves Merck's Life Science sector concentrated on consumables, technologies and services, with its BioReliance testing business retained.

Data as of Merck KGaA press release of November 3, 2026, read in full on merckgroup.com in this run; the price description, closing timetable, site list and the exclusion of BioReliance are the company's own. Developing item.

Merck KGaA said it has signed a definitive agreement to divest its contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) business, part of its Life Science sector, to Lonza for a mid-triple-digit million-euro amount. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2027, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, and the business will continue to operate inside Merck’s Life Science sector until then.

The operations covered are the sites in Carlsbad, California; Madison and Verona, Wisconsin; the bioconjugation operations in St. Louis, Missouri; and Indianapolis, Indiana, which provide development and manufacturing services for complex drug modalities. BioReliance contract testing services are not part of the sale and will remain in Merck’s Life Science portfolio.

Merck sells its CDMO business to Lonza

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