MSD, known as Merck in US and Canada, and EDB have signed a new agreement under which MSD will expand its presence in Singapore through new manufacturing, marketing, and research investments. Under the agreement, MSD will invest over USD $250 million over the next ten years in site improvements at its manufacturing facilities in Tuas, in addition to expanding its biotech operations and adding technology capability to support new product launches. Another S$700 million will be spent beefing up its research capabilities here.

MSD will help to further develop the skills and broaden the technical expertise of its Singapore-based workforce through collaborations with local universities and training opportunities at other MSD facilities around the world. MSD is planning to send locally recruited researchers for training in the US, where some of the experimental work is already being done, so that they may develop their own projects when they return. Jobs across various skill levels would also be created, including in strategic management, research and process manufacturing.

MSD had decided to expand its operations here as it recognized that Singapore has an excellent business climate, a strong commitment to innovation and excellence, transparent regulatory processes, and high standards of environmental protection. MSD is confident that Singapore will continue to build on its vision of becoming a world-class center of excellence in the pharmaceutical, biomedical and life science industries through its continued attraction of global companies, scientists, academic organizations, and other institutions that lead in the above fields.

Headquartered in New Jersey, US, Merck is one of the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies, with US$46 billion in global sales last year. In 2009, it underwent a US$41 billion merger with Schering-Plough, leading to a series of consolidation exercises across the world.

In Singapore, MSD hires 1,500 employees, of which 900 are in manufacturing. Apart from manufacturing, it also operates a regional headquarters and a Translational Medicines Research Center here. Since starting its operations in Singapore in 1996, the group has invested about US$1.5 billion here. This includes investment in a chemical manufacturing facility which will be closed by the end of next year, as part of the consolidation.