Merck & Co. plans to purchase from Shire a manufacturing facility for its animal health business in Krems an der Donau, Austria with the intention to expand its global vaccine manufacturing. The facility, currently owned by Shire, was built in 2002. 

“This new manufacturing site is ideally located in central Europe. It provides MSD Animal Health additional manufacturing resources and advanced technology platforms to meet the growing demand for our vaccine products that prevent disease and keep animals healthy while positioning us for strong long-term growth,” said Joseph Morrissey, senior vice president, operations, MSD Animal Health, the name of Merck & Co.’s animal health business outside the US and Canada.

Merck & Co. intends to immediately begin renovating the facility and expects to be ready for production in the coming years. Additional terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Source: Merck & Co.