MERCK KGAA PLANS 190 MILLION EURO BIOPHARMACEUTICAL PLANT

Merck KGaA is planning to build a biopharmaceutical production plant at its headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany. The plant will be used to manufacture the latest generation of biological active ingredients for the treatment of cancer. At an estimated cost of approximately 190 million euros, this would be the second-largest single investment ever made by the company. Approximately 190 new positions would be created. Construction is expected to begin in 2010.

Other sites in Germany and abroad were also considered. "This biopharmaceutical production plant represents a very important technology for Merck and will therefore be constructed at our headquarters," said Michael Roemer, chairman of the executive board.

Initially, the new plant would mainly produce the monoclonal antibody Erbitux (cetuximab) for the treatment of colorectal and head and neck cancer. The company acquired the rights to develop and market the drug outside the United States and Canada from ImClone Systems. Merck launched Erbitux in 2003 and now markets it in 52 countries. The drug is Merck's single top-selling pharmaceutical product.