Pharmaceutical giant Merck is readying to invest big in the United States. Merck announced on Tuesday that it is investing $1 billion in a new Delaware plant to expand domestic production as it prepares to deal with President Donald Trump’s tariffs, according to Reuters.
The Delaware facility will be primed to produce biologic drugs and Keytruda, which will make it Merck’s first in-house U.S. site that manufactures the sought after cancer treatment, the company said.
Merck & Co., Inc., known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, is a leading global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. Founded in 1891, Merck focuses on innovative health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and animal health products. The company is renowned for breakthroughs in oncology, particularly with its cancer immunotherapy drug, Keytruda.
Merck believes that the new facility with its new labs will be up and ready by 2028 and produce experimental drugs by 2030.
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Merck has made a name for itself in cancer treatment with Keytruda, but the pharma giant also plays a significant role in vaccines, notably the HPV vaccine Gardasil. Its robust research and development pipeline underscores a long-term commitment to addressing unmet medical needs. In recent years, Merck has intensified efforts in digital health and global health equity, working to expand access to medicines in low- and middle-income countries. The company continues to prioritize ethical research, patient safety, and sustainability. With thousands of employees worldwide, Merck remains a major player in the pharmaceutical industry, driven by its mission to save and improve lives.
Merck’s $1 billion plant in Delaware reflects the company’s strategy to strengthen domestic production of key medicines, including its top-selling cancer drug, Keytruda. This facility will reduce reliance on international supply chains, improve drug availability, and support future innovation in biologics.
The project is also reportedly expected to bring economic benefits to the region, creating thousands of construction jobs and hopes to create at least 500 permanent positions. Overall, it signals Merck’s commitment to expanding its presence in the U.S. while ensuring greater control and resilience in its drug manufacturing processes.