Building Initiated on $1B Merck Biotech Campus, Wilmington, Delaware
Merck commences construction on a $1 billion, 470,000-square-foot biologics manufacturing facility in Wilmington, Delaware, signaling a significant boost to the company's domestic production capabilities. The facility, affectionately dubbed "Merck Wilmington Biotech" by the company, is poised to serve as a U.S. hub for the development and commercialization of next-generation biologics, such as antibody-drug conjugates, with a focus on Keytruda (pembrolizumab).
The facility encompasses lab, manufacturing, and warehouse components, with laboratory operations slated for completion by 2028, and full-scale production of investigational compounds projected to commence in 2030. Merck has hinted at future investments to further expand the site.
In a statement, Merck's CEO, Robert Davis, expressed pride in the project's potential to generate thousands of high-paying American jobs and ensure the production and distribution of vital medicines close to patients. Initial plans call for more than 500 permanent jobs at the Wilmington site, while construction is expected to create over 4,000 temporary roles. Future expansion could yield an additional 1,500 full-time positions and support up to 26,000 construction jobs, according to the company estimates.
Located at the Chestnut Run Innovation & Science Park (CRISP), the facility is strategically positioned near universities in Delaware and Pennsylvania, promising to draw skilled talent and boost regional workforce development. The project is a noteworthy commitment to U.S. manufacturing, aligning with Merck's broader strategy to strengthen domestic production capacity.
The news comes shortly after the launch of a separate $1 billion vaccine facility in North Carolina, further accentuating Merck's ambition to shore up domestic production capacity. The Delaware project was bolstered by a $30.2 million state grant, approved by the Delaware investment board. This support, coupled with Merck's decision to build at the CRISP, underscores the company's commitment to investing in U.S. manufacturing.
The investment aligns with a broader trend in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, with companies such as Amgen, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Roche, Johnson & Johnson, and AbbVie collectively allocating over $165 billion towards U.S. manufacturing over the next decade.
In a testament to Merck's unwavering dedication to its U.S. manufacturing operations, the facility will focus on manufacturing next-generation biologics, positioning Merck as a key player in the U.S. biopharmaceutical sector. The move is expected to solidify Merck's reputation as a forward-thinking company, continually seeking innovative ways to improve patient care in the United States.
- The new Merck Wilmington Biotech facility, with a focus on next-generation biologics such as antibody-drug conjugates and Keytruda (pembrolizumab), highlights Merck's commitment to technology and science in the health-and-wellness industry.
- The construction of this facility in Delaware's Chestnut Run Innovation & Science Park signifies a strategic business move, aiming to draw skilled talent, boost regional workforce development, and contribute to U.S. manufacturing.
- The $1 billion project is expected to create over 500 permanent jobs and inject millions into the local economy, contributing significantly to the finance industry through tax revenues and business opportunities.
- Amidst the trend of pharmaceutical giants like Amgen, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Roche, Johnson & Johnson, and AbbVie investing billions toward U.S. manufacturing, Merck's investment in the Delaware facility underscores the industry's ongoing focus on domestic production capacity and finance.
