GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES MAJOR EXPANSION OF MERCK PLANT IN DURHAM COUNTY
Company Plans to Invest $300 Million and Add 150 Jobs At Vaccine Facility

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today announced that Merck & Co. Inc. plans to invest about $300 million to again expand its Durham vaccine manufacturing facility, creating an additional 150 to 180 jobs.  The expansion will support the manufacture and global distribution of several of the international pharmaceutical company’s key vaccines.

“As we lose jobs in the less skilled sector we are building them up in the knowledge sector and educating our people as they transition to these new jobs,” said Easley.  “We are strategically targeting the biotech and pharmaceutical industries because of the huge growth possibilities.”

Headquartered in Whitehouse Station, N.J., Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs.  In 2004 the company began construction of a $300 million, 235,000-square-foot facility in Treyburn Corporate Park in Durham that was completed this year.  This facility is on schedule to become fully licensed to begin supplying vaccines to markets around the world in 2009.

In December 2006, Merck announced Phase II of the Durham facility: an expansion that includes a sterile processing facility, quality testing labs and high speed packaging line totaling approximately 110,000 square feet.  Construction is currently underway and is scheduled to be completed in 2010.

Today's announcement of a Phase III expansion, which will include a new bulk vaccine manufacturing facility as well as expansions to the utility, warehouse and administrative infrastructures, is contingent upon approval of a grant by the Durham County Commission.  Assuming approval of that grant, construction is scheduled to begin in 2008 and be completed in 2011, bringing the projected total number of employees at the site to approximately 400.

“This expansion will further position the Durham facility to more effectively support Merck's growing global vaccine business,” said plant manager John Wagner.  “We appreciate the support we have received from state and local officials and the Durham community since we located here four years ago.  We are proud to be a part of North Carolina's expanding biopharma sector.”

“Another expansion of the Merck facility is exciting news for Durham county,” said Ellen Reckhow, Durham County Commission chair.  “It represents a substantial increase in investment at the site along with additional high quality jobs and continues to grow our biotechnology cluster.”

Many partners helped bring the latest expansion to fruition, including the N.C. Departments of Commerce and Transportation, the N.C. Community College System and Durham County.

For more information about Merck & Co., visit www.merck.com.  For job opportunities, visit www.merck.com/careers

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