CRO PPD has purchased Merck's Wayne, PA-based vaccine testing site and hired nearly 80 Merck employees to operate the facility. PPD will provide Merck with assay development and immunogenicity testing services for Merck's vaccine portfolio. PPD and Merck have worked together for years, and this deal extends their relationship for another five years. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. "We believe strategic outsourcing is key to the future of R&D and represents an innovative approach to the challenges facing our pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients," said Fred Eshelman, chief executive officer of PPD. "This collaboration with Merck represents a unique opportunity for us to acquire leading scientific talent and state-of-the-art facilities, expand an existing relationship with a long-time client and offer a new service line to other customers in the growing vaccine market." Release