Rahway-based Merck has commenced construction on a $1 billion, 470,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Wilmington, Delaware. This new site will focus on producing Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug used for treating various cancers.
The company stated that the “biologics center of excellence” will have capabilities for laboratory work, manufacturing, and warehousing to produce next-generation medicines. These include potent antibody-drug conjugates aimed at expanding Merck’s product pipeline.
Merck Chairman & CEO Robert M. Davis commented, “The Merck Wilmington Biotech site represents our continued commitment to growing our investments in U.S. manufacturing and has the potential to create thousands of high-paying American jobs while ensuring that we can produce and distribute products close to patients right here in the U.S.”
Located at Chestnut Run Innovation & Science Park (CRISP), the facility is expected to generate over 500 full-time roles and approximately 4,000 construction jobs. The laboratory component should be operational by 2028 with production starting by 2030. Further expansion could add another 1,500 full-time positions and 26,000 construction jobs.
Sanat Chattopadhyay, executive vice president and president of Merck Manufacturing Division said, “The decision to build a new biologics facility in Wilmington demonstrates our commitment to advancing U.S. manufacturing and partnering in communities where our employees live and work.”
Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Merck has invested over $12 billion into domestic manufacturing and research capabilities with plans for an additional $9 billion investment over four years.
In March, Merck completed a $1 billion facility expansion in Durham, North Carolina aimed at increasing vaccine production capacity. The company also plans further investments totaling $3.5 billion across its U.S. facilities.
Merck projects its growth efforts will create more than 37,600 construction-related jobs by 2028 while remaining committed to innovation through substantial investments in U.S.-based research and development.
