Called the Biotech Development Center, the facility will be dedicated to biotech development and manufacturing of clinical products. It will contribute to accelerated development timelines of new biological entities and address the increasing manufacturing complexity of the next generation of biologics.

The Biotech Development Center will bridge together research and manufacturing, according to Merck. The 15,700-sq-m space will be equipped with advanced digital solutions and will include continuous manufacturing and laboratory automation. The center will also contain development areas for a cross-functional team of over 250 employees.

The center will position Merck as a leader in life sciences process solutions for clinical manufacturing and pilot plant operations, according to Merck, and position the company as a hub of manufacturing and development of the biotech medicines.

Construction of the building is set to be completed in 2021, and it will be fully operational by the end of 2022.