Merck invests €35 million in its Italian biotech manufacturing site of Bari

New production line for the aseptic filling of biotech medicines under isolator.

“This investment underpins the importance of the Modugno-Bari production site for our growing Healthcare business”, said Stefan Oschmann, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck. “It will help us to secure the supply of medicines that improve people’s lives around the world.”

The new production line is expected to be fully operational in 2022. It will be equipped with an isolator designed with the latest technologies available and with a high level of automation. The isolator technology represents best practice in aseptic filling which is a prerequisite to ensure the safety of injectable medicines. The new production line is intended to be used for the aseptic filling of Merck’s biotech medicines in the areas of multiple sclerosis, fertility and endocrinology with a capacity of 14 million units per year.

In 2014, Merck invested €50 million at the Bari biotech-manufacturing site for a fully automated production line under isolator and automated warehouse. Established in 1992, Merck’s biotech manufacturing site in Bari has grown over time and currently employs 225 people. It is specialized in the fill & finish activities of Merck’s biotech medicines in the areas of multiple sclerosis, fertility and endocrinology for more than 150 countries. The site is also involved in the manufacturing of some of Merck’s products under development.