MilliporeSigma is betting on advanced chromatography capabilities to address persistent bottlenecks in antibody manufacturing as the company prepares to integrate JSR Life Sciences’ Protein A resin technology into its bioprocessing portfolio.
The acquisition, announced in October 2025 with an expected close by Q2 2026, positions the company to deliver integrated downstream solutions across the biologics value chain, from capture chromatography through filtration and single-use technologies.
Targeting High-Cost, High-Impact Purification Steps
Protein A chromatography represents one of the most expensive and time-consuming steps in monoclonal antibody production. For manufacturers balancing productivity demands with cost constraints, this capture step often determines facility throughput and overall economics.
Sebastián Arana, Executive Vice President and Head of Process Solutions at MilliporeSigma, identifies three primary challenges facing customers today: high resin costs combined with limited lifetime, throughput constraints that limit overall productivity, and increasing complexity as manufacturers shift toward novel antibody formats.
“Protein A capture remains the major cost and time driver in downstream processing,” Sebastián explains. Manufacturers working with antibody-drug conjugates, bispecifics, and antibody fragments face particular pressure as traditional resins struggle to handle these formats efficiently.
JSR Life Sciences’ Amsphere A3 and A+ resins bring capabilities specifically designed to address these pain points. The resins deliver high binding capacity and productivity alongside caustic stability—critical factors for manufacturers seeking to extend resin lifetime and reduce replacement costs.
Integration Without Disruption
Supply continuity ranks as the top priority during the transition period. MilliporeSigma plans to maintain JSR’s existing operations unchanged until deal closure, with manufacturing sites and quality systems continuing normal operations.
“Our top priority is to ensure customers experience no disruption,” Sebastián states. A joint transition team will oversee operational planning, supply chain assessments, and inventory management after the transaction closes.
The Belgium-based chromatography business employs more than 50 people and supplies pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers worldwide. These operations will be integrated into MilliporeSigma’s Process Solutions business while maintaining established customer relationships and service standards.
Platform Flexibility for Emerging Modalities
While monoclonal antibodies remain central to the strategy, MilliporeSigma is expanding its downstream focus beyond traditional antibody therapeutics. Sebastián points to specific opportunities in next-generation protein therapeutics, viral and gene therapies, and mRNA-based modalities.
“We’re building a downstream portfolio that not only serves today’s monoclonals but is fit for the future,” he says. Each modality presents distinct purification requirements—from high-volume viral vector processing to scalable purification of complex biomolecules.
The company places particular value on modular purification solutions and membrane-based technologies that enable manufacturers to move efficiently from early development through commercial scale. Continuous processing capabilities also factor into the long-term product roadmap as manufacturers seek to intensify operations.
Linking Complementary Technologies
The acquisition’s strategic logic centers on connecting JSR’s Protein A expertise with MilliporeSigma’s existing filtration, buffer preparation, systems, and single-use technologies. This integration aims to create complete purification platforms rather than point solutions.
“By combining JSR’s Amsphere Protein A resins with MilliporeSigma’s existing strengths in filtration and chromatography, buffer preparation, systems, and single-use technologies, we can directly address these challenges,” Sebastián notes.
Manufacturers increasingly prefer suppliers capable of supporting multiple process steps rather than coordinating across specialized vendors. This shift toward integrated offerings reflects pressure to reduce tech transfer timelines, minimize handoffs between suppliers, and maintain consistency across manufacturing sites.
Investment Priorities Reflect Market Evolution
Beyond the immediate Protein A capability enhancement, MilliporeSigma’s investment thesis reflects broader shifts in therapeutic development. The company expects continued growth in antibody-based therapies while preparing for increased demand from advanced therapy manufacturers.
Platform flexibility emerges as a consistent theme across these investments. As molecules diversify and manufacturing strategies shift toward intensified and continuous processing, purification technologies must accommodate wider ranges of formats, scales, and process conditions.
“Each brings unique purification challenges—from high-volume viral vector processing to scalable purification of complex biomolecules—where our combined capabilities in chromatography, filtration, and single-use technologies can make a real difference,” Sebastián says.
