Biotechnological Product Development R&D Center Opens

The "SUNUM & MERCK Life Sciences Application Unit" project, aimed at providing the country with an important research and development and application unit in the field of biotechnology product development, is being implemented by Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM) and Merck. Through this joint project between Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM) and Merck, Turkey has acquired a new biotechnology research and development and application unit with modern laboratory infrastructure and equipment. It is envisaged that the work to be conducted here will contribute to Turkey's positioning as a country with important pharmaceutical research and development centers and production facilities. The Merck & SUNUM Life Sciences Application Unit, established by Merck—a pharmaceutical and chemical company founded 351 years ago and currently among the world's leading science and technology companies—in cooperation with SUNUM, was inaugurated on 11 April 2019 with a special ceremony at Sabancı University. The opening ceremony was attended by Sabancı University Rector Yusuf Leblebici, Merck Turkey Board Chairman and General Manager Şehram Zayer, SUNUM Board Chairman Alpagut Kara, Merck Process Solutions Europe Region Group Head Ron Bunschoten, as well as SUNUM Director Fazilet Vardar Sukan and Sabancı University academics, senior Merck executives, important public and industrial institutions and organizations, and numerous industry representatives. Merck Turkey Board Chairman and General Manager Şehram Zayer, stating that they are focused on creating projects that add value to the country, said: "We are greatly honored to inaugurate this center, which will contribute to biotechnology pharmaceutical research and development activities, in cooperation with Sabancı University, one of our country's respected and pioneering universities, and Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM).

Turkey's 2023 vision clearly aims to focus on research and development in the healthcare sector and to create a value-generating ecosystem with the contributions of domestic and foreign investment. As Merck Turkey, we are very pleased to contribute to achieving this goal," he said.

Pointing out the importance of qualified academics to carry out this work, Zayer said: "This project will have many contributions to our country. At this center, researchers will be able to work on biotechnology product process development, production and purification. Biotechnology product research centers in our country will be supported in obtaining GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certification through the knowledge transfer that Merck will provide. As a result, we foresee an increase in the number of centers conducting biotechnology pharmaceutical production in Turkey. One of the most important contributions of the project is to contribute to the training of young scientists who will take part in research and development activities, together with valuable academics who are already working in this field."

Educational Activities Will Be Conducted and Scholarships Will Be Provided to PhD Students

SUNUM Board Chairman Alpagut Kara, in his remarks at the ceremony, emphasized that SUNUM is one of four centers that have received competence decisions in Turkey under the "Law on Support of Research Infrastructures" and that it has concentrated its accumulated experience since its establishment primarily on nanomaterials, life sciences, food, agriculture, water, environment and energy. Kara stated: "Receiving support from MERCK, one of the leading suppliers in the Global Healthcare and Life Sciences sector, and feeling the strength and close cooperation of our host organization Sabancı University from the past, we signed our agreement. "Within the SUNUM & MERCK Life Sciences Application Unit," biotechnology pharmaceutical and active substance research and development activities will not only be conducted in Turkey, but educational activities will also be carried out and scholarships will be provided to PhD students. Furthermore, thanks to this unit, the attention of the sector will focus on SUNUM and it will make a significant contribution to the advanced and academically-based workforce that our country needs," he said.