Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced today the start of construction for a $1 billion, 470,000-square-foot state-of-the-art biologics center of excellence in Wilmington, Delaware.

Merck Wilmington Biotech will comprise laboratory, manufacturing and warehouse capabilities to enable the launch and commercial production of next-generation biologics and therapies including potent antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), reinforcing Merck’s focus on expanding and diversifying its pipeline.

The site will also have the capability to manufacture KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), and our intent is to establish it as the future U.S. home for producing KEYTRUDA for U.S. patients. This is part of a significant investment to not only bring the world’s best-selling medicine closer to the American patients who rely on it, but to also establish a home for our biologics portfolio of products serving U.S. patients. Merck is planning further expansion beyond the initial investment at the site to continue to serve our growing biologics pipeline.

“The Merck Wilmington Biotech site represents our continued commitment to growing our investments in U.S. manufacturing and has the potential to create thousands of high-paying American jobs while ensuring that we can produce and distribute products close to patients right here in the U.S.,” said Robert M. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer, Merck.

The new facility, located at Chestnut Run Innovation & Science Park (CRISP), will help foster growth in Wilmington’s biotechnology sector, creating 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 jobs.

“This new site in Delaware is on the cutting edge of innovation, helping lead the way as we transform medicine and technology,” said Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer. “Merck is pioneering the next generation of care right here in Wilmington, and they couldn’t have picked a better place to do it. The positive impact this will have on Wilmington and the state of Delaware is exciting, and this is the just the beginning.”

“The decision to build a new biologics facility in Wilmington demonstrates our commitment to advancing U.S. manufacturing and partnering in communities where our employees live and work,” said Sanat Chattopadhyay, executive vice president and president, Merck Manufacturing Division. “As a hub for life science, research and development, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, CRISP offers unparalleled opportunities for future expansion.”