Merck KGaA to spend €35m to replace filling line at Bari facility
The German drug manufacture announced the plan last night, explaining it will spend €35m ($41m) to replacing an existing filling line at the facility.
A spokeswoman told us “The new line will replace an existing one, leveraging the latest technological developments while providing an increase in capacity.
She explained the plan “is part of continuous investments in our manufacturing network to maintain state-of-the-art industry level and adapt its capacity to patient needs for our medicines.”
The line will be used to fill Merck’s multiple sclerosis Rebif, its fertility disorder treatments Gonal-f and Ovidrel as well as the growth hormone Saizen. It is due to become operational in 2022.
The Bari facility was established in 1992 as a hub for fill finish activities. Drugs made at the site are shipped to 150 countries.
The new investment is the second in the past five years. In 2014 Merck spent €50m to install a fully automated production line under isolator and set up an automated warehouse at the site.
