MilliporeSigma Expands in Montgomery County with $286 Million Biosafety Testing Facility

For Immediate Release
October 9, 2024

Contacts:
Michael Mitchell, Vice President
Marketing & Communications
michael@thinkmoco.com

Raven Padgett
Senior Manager, Communications
raven@thinkmoco.com

Company Will Add 300 New Jobs to the Local Economy

Montgomery County, Md. — Global giant MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, opened a $286 million biosafety testing facility in Rockville this week. The new 250,000-square-foot facility will house biosafety testing, analytical development and cell banking manufacturing services. The company, which has been historically known locally as BioReliance Corporation, currently has about 870 employees working in Rockville and this expansion will create 300 positions over the next several years.

The new building consolidates labs currently spread across four buildings in Rockville into a single newly constructed facility, which will increase collaboration between scientists and enable a higher level of automation and digitalization.

“MilliporeSigma’s expansion is more good news for Montgomery County’s growing life sciences sector,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “This investment of $286 million and the addition of 300 new jobs reinforces what we’ve been working toward—creating a world-class hub for innovation, collaboration and economic growth. This new facility consolidates their biosafety testing operations under one roof, driving efficiency and enhancing their ability to deliver life-saving technologies. We’re proud to support companies like MilliporeSigma that are committed to both advancing scientific progress and strengthening our local economy. Their continued growth is a testament to the opportunities and talent that exist here in Montgomery County.”

The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) has worked with MilliporeSigma on this extensive project since its inception—convening meetings with the company, site developers, real estate brokers and the state of Maryland; shepherding the proposal through county processes; and coordinating with the state and county teams to keep the project moving forward as the building was constructed.

“We congratulate MilliporeSigma on its expansion and welcome this major investment in Montgomery County,” said MCEDC President and CEO Bill Tompkins. “MilliporeSigma has been a part of Montgomery County for more than 75 years and we look forward to their continued presence here for many more years to come. This new facility will contribute greatly to our economy and further reinforce Montgomery County as a premier life sciences hub.”

“This expansion is the largest investment in contract testing in the company’s history and will allow us to drive automation and technology development in one integrated hub,” said Benjamin Hein, Head of Life Science Services, Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “It reflects our commitment to providing our clients with disruptive platforms that shorten biosafety testing timelines, meet the growing global demand and ensure the safety of the world’s medicines for patients.”

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About Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation

Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is the official public-private economic development organization representing Montgomery County, Maryland, and is funded by Montgomery County. Created in 2015, MCEDC is led by a Board of Directors of business executives. Its mission is to accelerate business development, attraction, retention and expansion in key industry sectors while advancing equitable and inclusive economic growth.

About Montgomery County Government

Montgomery County, Maryland, is the largest county in the state of Maryland with over 1.1 million residents. Bordering the District of Columbia, and directly across the Potomac River from Northern Virginia, Montgomery County is home to 18 federal agencies including the National Institutes of Health, the Food & Drug Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology as well as the headquarters to over 700 companies. The county offers a unique ecosystem rich in talent, groundbreaking discoveries, and a vibrant community dedicated to sustainability and bold thinking. With 40% of residents speaking a language other than English and a third of the population born outside the U.S., Montgomery County embraces diversity. This inclusive environment fosters a rich tapestry of perspectives, providing an ideal location for businesses to thrive, innovate and flourish.

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Read the full press release here.