Introduction:
Merck announced an investment of US$165 million in its manufacturing site at Aubonne, Switzerland, to expand its production of biotech medicines.
Features:
The new building will be equipped with cutting-edge technologies dedicated to aseptic filling and quality control, with an innovative design and a flexible operations model to deliver increased productivity.
The new lines for the aseptic filling of biotech medicines will be equipped with isolator technology, representing best practice in aseptic filling to ensure the safety of injectable medicines.
One line will be dedicated to freeze-dried formulations, the other to liquid formulations.
These two new lines, as well as the new quality control labs, will replace existing infrastructure with technological upgrades and higher capacity allowing to produce up to 27 million vials per year.
The construction of the new building is expected to be completed in 2020, with the new quality control labs operational in 2021.
The new lines for aseptic filling in 2023, following validation by regulatory authorities.
The expansion includes the highest international standards of quality, environment, health and safety.
This helps to meet increasing the patient needs for flagship medicines such as fertility treatment Gonal-f®, newly launched therapies such as cancer drug Bavencio® and potential future products currently in clinical development such as cancer investigational treatment M7824 (bintrafusp alfa*).
The expansion of manufacturing facility supports the growth of current and future portfolio of Merck’s biotech medicines for patients across the world.
Specifications:
| Name | Merck |
| Type | Expansion |
| Budget | US$165 million |
| Parties Involved | Merck |
| Schedule | Scheduled to be completed by 2020 |
