Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside the U.S. and Canada), a division of Merck & Co. Inc., announced two significant milestones in its continued effort to expand manufacturing capacity and capabilities at its large-scale, vaccine production facility with product formulation and filling capabilities in Krems, Austria.

The site, which is expected to be fully operational in 2023, recently received the Government Manufacturer’s Authorization and the Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) of a Manufacturer, which will allow the company to begin test manufacturing operations, the announcement said.

The Krems site, which was acquired in 2017 by Merck Animal Health, is part of a manufacturing network that supports the company's global position in the animal health market. The site will include state-of-the-art production capacity for vaccines, integration of new technologies and manufacturing processes, as well as upgraded environmental, health and safety considerations for employees and the community, the company said.

“We are committed to develop our manufacturing capacity and capabilities, including our advanced technology, to help meet the increased global customer demand for our innovative products,” said Dr. Martin Kern, plant manager, Krems facility. “The Manufacturer’s Authorization and GMP Certificate have great symbolic significance for Merck Animal Health and our Krems manufacturing facility, because it is the first time that we will be able to produce pharmaceuticals and vaccines at this site. Receiving these designations by the Governnment and Industry underscores our ongoing dedication to ensure that our products will be of exceptional quality and our continued commitment to meet and exceed the industry’s highest safety standards. Through this effort, we will be able to fulfill customer demand for our portfolio of animal health products.”

Vaccines play an important role in protecting animal and public health. Timely and effective vaccination reduces the incidence and severity of disease, enabling efficient production of food animals, Merck said, noting that vaccines also have had a significant impact on the health of pets, preventing serious illnesses and helping them live longer and healthier lives.

“As a leader in delivering innovative pharmaceuticals and vaccines to advance animal health and meet growing customer needs, this investment in people, technology and equipment reflects our commitment to produce a range of vaccines and pharmaceuticals for animal health diseases,” said Joseph Morrissey, senior vice president, Animal Health Manufacturing, Merck Animal Health.

Merck Animal Health noted that it continues to invest in expanding its manufacturing facilities with a recent, continued expansion of its manufacturing, packaging and warehousing facility in Milton Keynes, U.K., for blending and filling of poultry vaccines; an existing facility for production of poultry vaccines using Sphereon technology in Salamanca, Spain, and a recently announced construction phase of a state-of-the-art facility in Boxmeer, Netherlands, for sterile filling and freeze drying of vaccines.

Additionally, Boxmeer is one of the company’s centers for the development and production of veterinary vaccines, including other production and research facilities in Boxmeer and De Bilt. The company recently announced an acquisition of a privately owned, animal health vaccine company in China, with an advanced manufacturing facility for the China market.