Merck, known as MSD outside of the US and Canada, announced that it had opened a new secondary packaging facility to support production of vaccines and biologics, particularly for its immunotherapy portfolio, including Keytruda (pembrolizumab).
In addition, the company broke ground for an inhaler production facility that will be used to manufacture ‘new generation’ inhaler medicines.
The new facilities are based in Tuas, Singapore, and will be built within the company’s existing 72-acre manufacturing hub. The products created at the location will supply the Asia Pacific region.
Merck expects the investment to add 100 new positions over the coming years to support the new facilities, with positions added requiring expertise in advanced manufacturing and digital skills. Across all of its facilities in the hub, this would bring the total number of employees in the country to more than 1,800.
Merck plans to invest up to US$500m (€509m) into its Singaporean manufacturing operations between 2020 and 2025. According to the company, it has already invested $2bn into the country since 1997.
“MSD is committed to Singapore as a strategic node in our company’s global manufacturing network with a focus on producing innovative medicines to treat chronic diseases and cancer as well as vaccines that prevent infectious diseases for patients living in Singapore and throughout the Asia Pacific region and beyond,” said Fernando Otero, associate vice president, MSD Manufacturing Division, Singapore.