MilliporeSigma, the US and Canada life science business of German science and technology company Merck KGaA (ETR:MRK), on Tuesday announced a USD76m investment to triple antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) manufacturing capacity at its St. Louis, Missouri facility.

This expansion will enhance its position as a leading contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) for ADCs in North America and enable the company to meet increasing global demand for these novel cancer therapies.

The investment will create 170 new jobs and upgrade 34,000 sq ft of the facility. MilliporeSigma aims to accelerate drug development timelines and provide enhanced support to its clients.