Expansion of Elkton, Virginia Manufacturing Facility to Further Increase Merck’s HPV Vaccine Supply and Support Broader and Equitable Access

Rhea-AI Summary

Merck (NYSE: MRK) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhance access to HPV vaccines by significantly investing in manufacturing. The company expanded its Elkton, VA facility by 120,000 square feet, creating 150 jobs, to meet the rising global demand for HPV vaccines. Merck aims to provide 91.5 million doses to Gavi-supported countries from 2021-2025. Having committed over $1 billion for capacity expansion, Merck expects its supply to double between 2020 and 2023 as new facilities come online.

Positive

• Completion of 120,000 square feet expansion at Elkton, VA facility.
• Creation of 150 new jobs at the Elkton site.
• Commitment to supply 91.5 million doses of HPV vaccines to Gavi-supported countries from 2021-2025.
• More than $1 billion invested to expand production capacity.

Negative

• None.

Supply Increase to Help Meet Growing Global Demand

KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, reaffirmed its commitment to enable broad equitable access to the company’s HPV vaccines. To support this, the company has invested significantly in manufacturing, and recently expanded its vaccines manufacturing facility located in Elkton, VA, completing the construction of 120,000 square feet and adding 150 new jobs at the site to further increase capacity and supply of the company’s human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, following regulatory reviews and approvals.

“As we continue to increase production of our HPV vaccines, we are prioritizing access in countries with a high burden of disease, including countries eligible for support from Gavi and UNICEF,” said Dr. Priya Agrawal, global lead for HPV Vaccines at Merck. “Through our long-term agreement with UNICEF, we plan to provide 91.5 million doses of our HPV vaccines for use in Gavi-supported countries from 2021-2025, and we have offered additional doses beyond that agreement as needed to help meet growing demand.”

“Increasing supply of our HPV vaccines is a top priority, and over the last several years we have steadily increased our manufacturing capacity in response to growing global demand,” said Jacks Lee, senior vice president, Merck Manufacturing. “Despite the pandemic, our teams have completed the building infrastructure expansion at our Elkton site ahead of schedule and we are excited to reach this important milestone.”

In 2019, Merck committed more than $1 billion to expand production capacity at existing manufacturing facilities and build new facilities to address the unprecedented global demand for our HPV vaccines. Merck has expanded and maximized its existing facilities, nearly doubling supply of our HPV vaccines from 2017-2020, and has continued to increase supply over the last several years.

Merck expects supply of its HPV vaccines to double again between 2020-2023 as the company continues to expand capacity at existing facilities and as new facilities come online.

About Merck

For 130 years, Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve lives. We demonstrate our commitment to patients and population health by increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten people and animals – including cancer, infectious diseases such as HIV and Ebola, and emerging animal diseases – as we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA

This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of the global outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19); the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions.

The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220404005217/en/

Media:

Julie Cunningham, (617) 519-6264

Steve Wanczyk, (267) 481-0074

Investor:

Peter Dannenbaum, (908) 740-1037

Source: Merck & Co., Inc.

FAQ

What is Merck's plan for HPV vaccine production?

Merck plans to increase HPV vaccine production significantly by expanding its manufacturing facilities, creating new jobs, and prioritizing access in high-burden countries.

How many HPV vaccine doses will Merck provide to Gavi-supported countries?

Merck plans to provide 91.5 million doses of HPV vaccines to Gavi-supported countries from 2021 to 2025.

What investment has Merck made in vaccine manufacturing?

Merck has committed over $1 billion to expand its vaccine manufacturing capacity.

How many jobs were created at Merck's Elkton facility?

Merck created 150 new jobs at its Elkton, VA facility following its expansion.

When does Merck expect to double its HPV vaccine supply?

Merck expects its HPV vaccine supply to double between 2020 and 2023.