Merck to Cut 150 Jobs at Gardasil Plant; Bladder Cancer Combo Cuts Events 47%
Merck will cut about 150 jobs at its North Carolina Gardasil plant following a decline in HPV vaccine demand. A trial showed KEYTRUDA plus Padcev cut event-free survival events by 47% and death risk by 35% in cisplatin-eligible muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients pre- and post-surgery.
1. Gardasil Production Cuts and Job Reductions
Merck plans to eliminate about 150 positions at its North Carolina facility responsible for manufacturing Gardasil. The move reflects an effort to align production capacity with current demand for its HPV vaccine.
2. Drivers of Gardasil Demand Slump
Global Gardasil sales have weakened due to increased competition from lower-cost Chinese HPV vaccines and updated health guidelines recommending fewer doses in the U.S. This combination has pressured volumes at Merck’s primary HPV plant.
3. KEYTRUDA Plus Padcev Bladder Cancer Trial Success
A Phase III study demonstrated that combining KEYTRUDA with Padcev before and after surgery reduced the risk of event-free survival events by 47% and lowered mortality risk by 35% in cisplatin-eligible patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. This result strengthens Merck’s oncology pipeline and could support future regulatory filings.