Merck & Co Begins Construction on $1bn Biologics Centre in Delaware

Merck & Co has begun construction on a $1bn biologics centre in Delaware, US. The facility will bolster the company's biologics and therapy production, including antibody-drug conjugates, and is expected to generate over 500 full-time positions and nearly 4,000 construction-related jobs. The lab component is anticipated to be fully operational by 2028, with investigational compound production set to commence by 2030. MSD plans potential site expansions, which could introduce an extra 1,500 full-time positions and 26,000 construction jobs.

Merck & Co., known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has begun construction on a $1 billion biologics centre of excellence in Wilmington, Delaware. The new facility, named Merck Wilmington Biotech, will serve as a state-of-the-art hub for the development and production of next-generation biologics and therapies, including potent antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) [1].

Located at Chestnut Run Innovation & Science Park (CRISP), the 470,000-square-foot facility is part of Merck’s ongoing commitment to investing in American innovation and infrastructure. The centre will house laboratory, manufacturing, and warehouse capabilities, enabling the launch and commercial production of advanced biologics and therapies. The site is also intended to become the future U.S. home for producing KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), a leading immuno-oncology drug [2].

The laboratory component is expected to be fully operational by 2028, with production of investigational compounds anticipated to start by 2030. Potential further expansion of the site could create an additional 1,500 full-time roles and 26,000 construction jobs [1].

The construction of Merck Wilmington Biotech is part of a broader $3.5 billion investment in biologics and small molecule manufacturing sites and capabilities in the U.S. This investment is expected to create an anticipated 650 additional full-time roles and more than 37,600 construction-related employment opportunities by 2028 [1].

The new facility is set to foster growth in Wilmington’s biotechnology sector and attract talented students and professionals, supporting community growth and development. The proximity to Delaware and Pennsylvania universities, as well as Merck’s existing facilities in neighboring New Jersey and Pennsylvania, will expand its talent pool and create engaging opportunities for current and future Merck team members [2].

References:
[1] https://www.biospectrumasia.com/news/25/25974/merck-breaks-ground-on-new-1-b-biologics-centre-of-excellence-in-us.html
[2] https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/merck-breaks-ground-on-new-1-billion-biologics-center-of-excellence-in-wilmington-delaware