Innovatia

MERCK LEADS THE GLOBAL CHARGE FOR CLEAN CHEMISTRY One of many brilliant, life-enhancing innovations to come from Merck, Cyrene brings a host of benefits for the environment and human health. By Jessica Martyn

I nnovation is the beating heart of the Scientific Research & Development industry in Australia, and the vibrant science and technology spe- cialists at Merck are often at the helm of highly innovative missions, accelerating groundbreak- ing – and in many cases, life-changing – scientif- ic developments. Cyrene is one such development – a bio-based solvent manufactured in Tasmania as a sub- stitute for environmentally harmful petrole- um-based alternatives. The solvent is the result of a collaborative ef- fort between Australian company Circa Group, the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence (GCCE) at the University of York, and Merck KGaA to con- vert waste streams into petroleum substitutes. Produced from waste cellulose in only two steps, Cyrene is naturally free from sulphur and nitrogen, solving a range of environmental chal- lenges commonly associated with solvents that contain these compounds – for example, pollu- tion and the creation of toxic byproducts with- out compromising on performance. Cyrene was developed and manufactured in Australia before Merck launched it globally, backing its superior promise of sustainability – an inspiring success story for other Australian

biotech companies seeking a global platform. The development also adheres to the 12 prin- ciples of green chemistry that underpin all of the work Merck does. “Cyrene is the petrol substitute fuelling a new arm of green chemistry in Australia.” “At Merck, sustainability is a cornerstone for future innovation and growth, and a responsi- bility we want to fulfil every day,” said Rebecca Lee, Managing Director of Merck’s Life Science business in Australia. “Through our innovation power, we strive to create long-term value for society by fostering human progress for more than one billion peo- ple, achieving climate neutrality by 2040 and re- ducing our resource consumption.”

Unlocking Nature’s Secrets: CSIRO’s $25 Mil- lion Investment in Advanced Engineering Biology Promises Innovative Solutions to Environmental, Energy, and Health Challeng- es. From eco-friendly fuels to groundbreaking biosensors, explore the potential of engineer- ing biology with CSIRO.”

Renowned scientist, Ian Frazer, achieved a monumental milestone in medical history by spearheading the development of the cervical cancer vaccine. His groundbreaking work not only revolutionized women’s health but also exemplified the potential for science to com- bat deadly diseases.

Groundbreaking Nerve Bridge Therapy Offers Hope for Spinal Cord Injury Patients: Australi- an Scientists Work Hand in Hand with Patients to Revolutionize Treatment and Restore Inde- pendence.

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INNOVATIA

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INNOVATIA

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