Merck has officially started construction on a $1 billion biologics facility in Wilmington, Delaware. The new 470,000-square-foot center, located at the Chestnut Run Innovation & Science Park (CRISP), will support research, manufacturing, and storage of next-generation biologics, including antibody-drug conjugates. The facility is also expected to manufacture KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), Merck’s immunotherapy treatment for cancer, with full laboratory operations planned for 2028 and investigational compound production beginning in 2030. The initiative is projected to create more than 500 full-time jobs and around 4,000 construction roles, with potential expansion bringing up to 1,500 more permanent jobs.
This investment adds to Merck’s broader effort to strengthen domestic manufacturing and research. On this expansion, Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer said, “Merck is pioneering the next generation of care right here in Wilmington, and they couldn’t have picked a better place to do it. The positive impact this will have on Wilmington and the state of Delaware is exciting, and this is just the beginning.” Merck’s new Delaware site will benefit from proximity to major research universities and existing company facilities, further enhancing talent recruitment and collaboration. The company continues to prioritize increasing access to medicines while supporting local job creation and infrastructure growth.
