PR85472

DARMSTADT, Germany, Sept. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

-- Creates one of the largest single-digit nanogram containment manufacturing

facilities for high-potent active pharmaceutical ingredient (HPAPI) production

-- Allows continuous flow manufacturing for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)

-- Approximately 50 full-time jobs to be added

Merck, a leading science and technology company, today announced a EUR 59

million expansion of its HPAPI and ADC manufacturing capabilities and capacity

at its facility near Madison, Wisconsin, USA. This investment will allow

large-scale manufacturing of increasingly potent compounds for therapies that

have the potential to treat cancer. Completion is expected by mid-2022 and

should add approximately 50 full-time jobs starting in 2021.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1250213/Merck_ADC_Expansion.jpg

"ADCs have posted incredible growth over the last decade, and regulatory

agencies' approval in recent years demonstrate their promise as a targeted

therapy," said Andrew Bulpin, head of Process Solutions, Life Science, at

Merck. "With more than 35 years of experience in this space, we have been a

frontrunner in the development and manufacturing of biologics, conjugation

processes and small molecules. This investment underscores our commitment to

working with innovators to bring new treatments to patients quickly and more

efficiently."

Merck's new 6,500-square-meter commercial building will be one of the largest

dedicated HPAPI manufacturing facilities specifically designed to handle

single-digit nanogram occupational exposure limit materials. The project is an

addition to the company's Madison campus, which was the first commercial ADC

facility in North America designed to handle highly active materials. The new

building will join Merck's established campus in St. Louis, Missouri, USA,

which specializes in ADC bio-conjugation, active pharmaceutical ingredients,

excipient and adjuvants manufacturing.

ADCs are an emerging class of medicines designed for high-specificity targeting

and destruction of cancer cells, while preserving healthy cells. There are now

only nine ADCs approved globally. However, the ADC industry is delivering

strong growth and is expected to reach EUR 13 billion by 20301.

While ADCs can provide many benefits compared with other therapeutic options,

they also present a unique set of challenges. Their development is complex,

necessitating stringent containment infrastructure, and their structural

exceptionality requires expertise in a number of different technologies for

small and large molecules, as well as analytical capabilities. Due to these

challenges, more than 70 percent of ADC projects are outsourced to contract

development and manufacturing organizations2.

With more than 35 years of experience in the development and manufacturing of

small molecules, biologics and ADC technologies, Merck offers extensive

experience in both clinical and commercial manufacturing. The company's

comprehensive service portfolio combines the steps of drug development and

production -- from pre-clinical to commercial -- from a single source. This

consolidation helps reduce risk and streamlines the process of getting

therapies to patients faster.

All Merck news release are distributed by email at the same time they become

available on the Merck website. Please go to www.merckgroup.com/subscribe to

register online, change your selection or discontinue this service.

About Merck

Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare,

life science and performance materials. Around 57,000 employees work to make a

positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more

joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies

and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling

the intelligence of devices -- the company is everywhere. In 2019, Merck

generated sales of EUR16.2 billion in 66 countries.

Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to

Merck's technological and scientific advances. This is how Merck has thrived

since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of

the publicly listed company. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name

and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the

business sectors of Merck operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma

in life science and EMD Performance Materials.

1 "Antibody-Drug Conjugates Market to Be Worth $15bn by 2030." European

Pharmaceutical Review, 30 Aug. 2019,

www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com/news/98037/antibody-drug-conjugates-market-15bn-2030/.

2 Roots Analysis Private Ltd. ADC Contract Manufacturing Market, 2015-2025.

August 2015, www.adc.expert/2mNns33

SOURCE: Merck

CONTACT: andreas.cezanne@merckgroup.com,  Phone: +49 6151 72-45946