Merck Earmarks $1.68 billion, Adds 525 Jobs in U.S. to Increase HPV Vaccine Production, an Industrial Info Market Brief

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HPV stands for human papillomavirus and is the most common sexually transmitted infection. HPV is usually harmless and goes away by itself, but some types can lead to cancer and genital warts. Merck is seeing very strong demand for the Gardasil 9 vaccine, which is used to combat the virus in the U.S., China and Europe.

Of the $1.68 billion, Merck has allocated $1 billion in capital spending for the Gardasil production facility in Elkton, Virginia; $650 million for the Durham, North Carolina site; and $30 million for Merck's Packaging Center of Excellence in Wilson, North Carolina.

Industrial Info's Pharma/Bio Group is reporting these capital projects with timelines, key contacts and equipment/subcontractor needs.