-- 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.

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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