Pharmaceutical company Merck has officially opened its new, billion-dollar vaccine production facility in North Carolina, officials announced.
The 225,000-square-foot plant, located at the company’s hub in Durham, represents a “milestone” in Merck’s bid to bolster its domestic manufacturing operations, the company added.
Adding Production of HPV Vaccines
Merck officials told Raleigh’s The News & Observer that the new plant will make Gardasil and Gardasil 9, which protect against HPV. The Durham campus already makes vaccines that protect against chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella, and other illnesses.
Facility Features AI, Digital Twin
Merck said the new facility features advanced technical and digital capabilities, including generative AI, data analytics, and 3D printing. A training center, meanwhile, has a “digital twin” virtual production model to improve process changes and employee training.
Investing Billions in Domestic Production, R&D
The New Jersey-based company has invested more than $12 billion in U.S. manufacturing and research and development since 2018. Merck expects to spend an additional $8 billion by 2028.
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