September 8, 2011

Merck Animal Health grows US vaccine manufacturing unit

Merck Animal Health, formerly known as Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, is growing a vaccine manufacturing unit at its Elkhorn Biotechnology Excellence Centre in the US.

This US$13.5 million expansion provides Merck Animal Health with an USDA-approved facility and will meet all Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements to ensure that animal vaccine manufacturing takes place at the highest quality to support sales to 52 different countries around the world. This state-of-the-art facility and equipment will help assure that the Nebraska operations is on the leading edge of vaccine manufacturing in the entire industry.

The Elkhorn project expands the existing aseptic filling capacity for liquid and lyophilised animal biological products. It consists of 6,200 square feet renovated and new production space, 2,500 square feet new warehouse space; 1,300 square feet new technical support space, and two integrated vaporous hydrogen peroxide disinfection chambers; a novelty for US.

"Animal health is an important part of Merck's business going forward and the company is committed to the strategic development of the animal health business. By addressing the increasing global need for high-quality, high-volume veterinary vaccine manufacturing capacity, we continue to deliver to the promise to our customers to make Merck Animal Health a best-in-class global animal health leader," said John T. McCubbins, PhD, Senior Vice President, Animal Health Manufacturing.

Ernest Kontor, PhD, Senior Director Biologicals US & Pacific Region, Global Supply Chain Animal Health, added, "The investment in the extension of the Filling Department here in Elkhorn is of significant importance as it demonstrates the commitment of Merck towards the Elkhorn Biotechnology Excellence Centre as a strategic site within our global Animal Health network."

To address the specific regional needs for veterinary medicines, Merck Animal Health operates manufacturing sites in various countries distributed over five continents. The Elkhorn Biotechnology Excellence Centre is an important site in the company's manufacturing network. At the site, advanced biotechnology is used for fermentation, bioreactor, roller bottles, lyophylisation and downstream processes. The company markets more than 350 licensed vaccines of which over 50 are manufactured in Elkhorn. The company continuously invests in its operations to accommodate growth and to ensure that it meets GMP and other standards as well as the most stringent environmental requirements.

The site has approximately 250 employees, and with more than 40% of these having a higher professional or university education, it is a centre of excellence with strong links between R&D and manufacturing as well as with its logistics centre in Omaha, NE. The site develops and produces vaccines for companion animals (dogs, cats and horses) and production animals (farmed fish, cattle, swine and poultry).