Merck said it would spend 300 million euros (about $328 million) to build a new bioprocessing plant in Daejeon, which would create around 300 additional jobs by the end of 2028. 

The decision marks the largest investment by Merck's Life Science business sector in the Asia-Pacific region to date, the Germany-based company said.

The announcement follows the MOU between Merck, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), and the Daejeon government, signed on May 3, 2023, to build a new Asia-Pacific bioprocessing center in Daejeon, some 140 kilometers south of Seoul.

“The facility will support biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in process development, clinical research and commercial manufacturing of biologics,” Merck said in a statement.

More specifically, Merck’s new plant will produce essential biotech products such as dry powder cell culture media, process liquids, pre-GMP small-scale manufacturing, and sterile sampling systems. Covering an area of 43,000 square meters, the facility will include advanced production capacities, a distribution center and an automated warehouse, Merck said. 

Earlier on Tuesday, Kolon Global Corp, a Korean construction company, announced it signed a 176.6 billion won ($132.8 million) contract with Merck to build the bioprocessing production center in Daejeon. 

The size of the deal is equivalent to 6.79 percent of Kolon Global’s revenue in 2022. 

Kolon Global expects the construction to be completed by March 2026.