The German pharmaceutical and chemical giant has been growing rapidly since Covid. But after investing 175 million euros in France in 2021 and having developed its site in Martillac, near Bordeaux, with 150 job creations in recent years, the pharmaceutical laboratory announced a reorganization of its activities, this Friday, January 17 .
First, the Life Science activity, which develops drugs and products related to life sciences, will be reorganized “in order to successfully reposition the site commercially,” explains Merck Martillac. She presented staff representatives with a voluntary departure plan for less than thirty positions.
The company also revealed that it had “entered into exclusive negotiations” with AbbVie, ranked fifth largest biotechnology company in the world in terms of market capitalization, for a sale of this activity. The American biotechnology company “would like to take over the Life Science activity to operate it as a production activity”. Around 300 positions would be transferred to AbbVie.
Plan social
Concerning the Healthcare activity, which develops drugs to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis, infertility, growth disorders or certain metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, “we confirm that the sole subcontracting contract was terminated by our client, who wishes to internalize this production. As a result, Merck has no choice but to consider ceasing this activity in mid-2026,” the company announced. This stop will be the subject of a job protection plan, which will be negotiated with the social partners. 79 positions are affected.
-Merck assures that “social dialogue will be the priority” and that it will favor internal reclassification measures.
Founded in 1987, the Martillac site, located at the Technopole Montesquieu, has grown significantly in recent years, driven by the multinational's investments. It spans 13 buildings and today employs more than 400 people.
