By Mauro Orru

Merck KGaA said Thursday that it is acquiring AmpTec in a move to bolster its capabilities to develop and manufacture mRNA gene-based technology for vaccines, treatments and diagnostics.

AmpTec is a Hamburg, Germany-based mRNA contract development and manufacturing organization.

The German pharmaceuticals-and-chemicals company didn't disclose financial details for the transaction.

"The success of mRNA-based vaccines for Covid-19 lays the path to accelerate the development of these therapeutics for many other diseases," Merck KGaA Chief Executive Stefan Oschmann said.

Write to Mauro Orru at mauro.orru@wsj.com; @MauroOrru94

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-07-21 0435ET