Merck Unveils New Facility to Increase Vaccine Production Capacity

Rhea-AI Summary

Merck (MRK) has unveiled a new $1 billion, 225,000-square-foot vaccine manufacturing facility in Durham, North Carolina. This expansion is part of the company's broader $12 billion U.S. capital investment initiative since 2018, with an additional $8 billion planned by 2028.

The state-of-the-art facility incorporates advanced technologies including data analytics, generative AI, 3D printing, and a digital twin training center for simulating manufacturing processes. This investment demonstrates Merck's commitment to expanding domestic manufacturing and R&D capabilities while creating new jobs in the United States.

Positive

• Major $1 billion investment in domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity
• Part of larger $20 billion U.S. capital investment commitment through 2028
• Implementation of cutting-edge manufacturing technologies
• Expansion of production capabilities and job creation

Negative

• None.

Opening highlights effort to expand U.S. manufacturing through a $1 billion investment

DURHAM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, announced today the opening of a new, $1 billion, 225,000-square-foot facility dedicated to vaccine manufacturing at its Durham, North Carolina, site.

This expansion of our Durham plant is a crucial component of the more than $12 billion Merck has invested toward U.S. capital investment since 2018 focused on expanding domestic manufacturing and research and development capabilities and creating new jobs in the U.S., with another $8 billion of U.S. capital investment expected by 2028.

"Expanding our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Durham marks a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen our production and manufacturing capabilities in the U.S.," said Sanat Chattopadhyay, executive vice president and president, Merck Manufacturing Division. "The cutting-edge technologies employed here empower our workforce and underscore our leadership in innovation to support patients everywhere."

The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility leverages best practices and learnings from across the Merck Manufacturing Division network as well as new technical and digital capabilities including data analytics, generative AI, 3D printing and a training center equipped with a digital twin – a virtual model of the shop floor manufacturing process systems – to accelerate new employee training and simulate process changes before they are implemented.

“This level of investment and commitment speaks so powerfully to the work we do here in Durham,” said Amanda Taylor, vice president and plant manager at the Merck Manufacturing Division site in Durham. “To see the pride and the energy of the people who work here and are helping drive this evolution in our capabilities is just phenomenal.”

Please visit the Merck media library for images and b-roll of the new Durham facility.

About Merck

At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

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

This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, 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 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, 2024 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/20250311491578/en/

Media Contacts:

Ned Ehrbar

(646) 593-1669

ned.ehrbar@merck.com

Robert Josephson

(203) 914-2372

robert.josephson@merck.com

Investor Contacts:

Peter Dannenbaum

(732) 594-1579

peter.dannenbaum@merck.com

Damini Chokshi

(732) 594-1577

damini.chokshi@merck.com

Source: Merck & Co., Inc.

FAQ

How much did Merck (MRK) invest in the new Durham vaccine facility?

Merck invested $1 billion in the new 225,000-square-foot vaccine manufacturing facility in Durham, North Carolina.

What is Merck's (MRK) total planned U.S. capital investment through 2028?

Merck has invested $12 billion since 2018 and plans an additional $8 billion in U.S. capital investment by 2028, totaling $20 billion.

What technologies are implemented in Merck's (MRK) new Durham facility?

The facility features data analytics, generative AI, 3D printing, and a digital twin training center for manufacturing process simulation.

What is the purpose of Merck's (MRK) Durham facility expansion?

The expansion aims to strengthen Merck's U.S. vaccine production and manufacturing capabilities while creating new domestic jobs.