Merck, MedImmune deal space

Capacity issues have led to a facility relationship deal between MedImmune and Merck ($MRK). The former will provide space in its Frederick, MD, facility for bulk product manufacturing by the latter.

Under the 15-year agreement, the companies will collaborate on capacity planning, reports The Gazette. The relationship is seen as a "long-range solution dealing with capacity issues," a MedImmune spokesperson said in the article. The work has already begun.

The 385,000-square-foot Frederick facility, opened in 1999, has about 300 employees.

The companies also are evaluating Merck plants for use by AstraZeneca's ($AZN) MedImmune unit, the article notes.