BRIEF—Merck increases manufacturing capacity for vaccines

German science and technology company Merck KGaA is strengthening its manufacturing capabilities for single-use assemblies, a key technology for the production of COVID-19 vaccines and other lifesaving therapies, by investing more than 130 million euros ($129 million) in Molsheim, France.

The investment is the largest ever in the 50-year history of the site and will create more than 800 jobs by the end of 2028.

“Merck is determined to provide patients in Europe and worldwide with reliable access to vaccines and life-saving therapies,” said Belén Garijo, chair of the executive board and chief executive of Merck, adding: “This investment in France is an integral component of our plans to expand our global manufacturing footprint and deliver superior customer value across the globe.”

The expansion will further increase capacity for the manufacturing of single-use assemblies belonging to the Mobius portfolio.

The 3,500-square-meter ISO7 clean rooms, administrative building and new logistics warehouse are planned to be operational by the end of 2024, and will gradually ramp up to full production through 2028.