Merck KGaA plans to purchase the Indianapolis, Ind.-based contract manufacturing organization Exelead, which specializes in messenger RNA (mRNA)-based products, for an estimated $780 million.

Exelead is known for its injectable lipid nanoparticle-based delivery system ― a technology used in a variety of mRNA therapeutics, including the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna.

The deal, which is expected to close this quarter, will help improve the supply chain and shorten the time to market for mRNA products, said Matthias Heinzel, CEO of Merck KGaA’s life science division.