Merck KGaA has announced a $70-million investment to expand its research and development (R&D) facility in Billerica, Massachusetts. The new building will span 145,000 square feet and provide new laboratory and collaborative working space to accommodate approximately 400 R&D employees focused on immuno-oncology, oncology, and immunology.

When construction is completed in 2021, the building will offer wet labs, office space, and a cafeteria for the campus. With this latest project, Merck KGaA will have invested more than $150 million in infrastructure to advance biopharmaceutical R&D in Massachusetts in recent years, with more than 150 new jobs added to its US R&D hub in Billerica since 2011. The healthcare business of Merck KGaA employs approximately 3,500 R&D professionals across four global R&D hubs: Darmstadt, Germany; Boston; Tokyo; and Beijing, China.

Merck KGaA’s US presence is comprised of three businesses—Healthcare, Life Science and Performance Materials—with nearly 10,000 employees working in R&D, manufacturing, and corporate roles across almost 60 sites country-wide. Within the state of Massachusetts, more than 2,800 professionals work across 10 locations.

Consistent with previous projects, the new building will be constructed to seek LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and WELL certifications. LEED is a program for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings. WELL is a building standard focused on enhancing people’s health and wellness through built environments.

Source: Merck KGaA