Merck & Co. has started construction of a new $1-billion, 470,000-square-foot biologics Center of Excellence in Wilmington, Delaware. 

The center will comprise laboratory, manufacturing and warehouse capabilities to enable the launch and commercial production of biologics and therapies, including antibody-drug conjugates. The site will also have the capability to manufacture the company’s top-selling product, Keytruda (pembrolizumab), an immunotherapy for treating multiple cancers. Merck says that its intent is to establish the site as the future US home for producing Keytruda for US patients. Keytruda posted 2024 global sales of $29.5 billion and 2024 US sales of $17.9 billion, with the US representing 61% of its global sales.  

The new facility, located at Chestnut Run Innovation & Science Park, will create more than 500 full-time roles and roughly 4,000 construction jobs. 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 would create an additional 1,500 full-time roles and 26,000 construction job, according to the company. 

Source: Merck & Co.