Rapid Micro Biosystems, Inc. (the “Company” or “Rapid Micro”), an innovative life sciences technology company providing mission critical automation solutions to facilitate the efficient manufacturing and fast, safe release of healthcare products, announced that it has entered into a five-year global distribution and collaboration agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Life Science business of Merck KGaA , Darmstadt, Germany, which operates in the U.S. as MilliporeSigma (“MilliporeSigma”).

The agreement grants MilliporeSigma global co-exclusive rights to sell Growth Direct systems and related consumables. MilliporeSigma may sell to customers in the pharmaceutical, medical device, personal care, cosmetics and food and beverage fields worldwide. Rapid Micro will continue to utilize its existing direct sales team and distribution channels to sell, place, validate and service its products globally. Rapid Micro will also maintain responsibility to install, validate and service any Growth Direct system sold by MilliporeSigma.

The initial term of the agreement is five years and includes a commitment to purchase a minimum number of Growth Direct systems during each of the first two years.

The agreement also enables collaboration with respect to the Company’s product and supply chain costs. In this regard, the parties intend to explore cost savings focused on leveraging MilliporeSigma’s product offerings, manufacturing capabilities and scale to accelerate progress on the Company’s strategic priority of expanding gross margins.

The agreement also enables the parties to explore additional collaboration opportunities, including services and joint technology development efforts to enhance existing offerings and introduce new products.

“This strategic distribution and collaboration agreement represents a transformative opportunity, and we are excited to partner with MilliporeSigma, a highly respected leader in the life sciences industry,” said Robert Spignesi, President and CEO of Rapid Micro Biosystems. “MilliporeSigma’s global scale, top-tier brand and industry leadership, coupled with Rapid Micro’s market-leading Growth Direct system, consumables and services, will significantly expand our commercial reach and depth. We are confident this collaboration will enhance value to customers worldwide, while meaningfully advancing our priorities of accelerating Growth Direct System placements, improving gross margins and driving innovation.”

The Growth Direct system is the only fully automated, non-destructive growth-based platform for MQC testing that offers manufacturers faster time to results, improved data integrity and enhanced accuracy.