Merck to expand its Durham drug plant again

Durham, N.C. — Merck, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, plans to add 150 jobs to and invest $300 million in its vaccine manufacturing facility in Durham.

Gov. Mike Easley made the announcement Thursday, saying the expansion will support the manufacture and global distribution of several of the company's key vaccines.

Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines.

In 2004, the company began construction of a $300 million, 235,000-square-foot facility in Treyburn Corporate Park in Durham. It was completed this year. This facility is on schedule to become fully licensed to begin supplying vaccines to markets around the world in 2009.

In December 2006, Merck announced an 110,000-square-foot expansion to the facility. That's scheduled to be complete by 2010.

The second expansion announced Thursday will include a bulk vaccine manufacturing facility as well as expansions to the utility, warehouse and administrative infrastructures. The expansion is contingent upon approval of a grant by the Durham County Board of Commissioners.

Construction would likely begin this year and be completed in 2011, bringing the projected total number of employees at the site to approximately 400.

“Another expansion of the Merck facility is exciting news for Durham County,” Durham County Commissioners Chairwoman Ellen Reckhow. “It represents a substantial increase in investment at the site, along with additional high-quality jobs, and continues to grow our biotechnology cluster.”