A new U.S.-based facility dedicated to the manufacturing of lateral flow membranes for rapid diagnostic test kits is under construction. This month, MilliporeSigma, the U.S. and Canada Life Science business of Merck KGaA, announced that it has broken ground at the Sheboygan, Wisconsin, site.

MilliporeSigma received a $136.7 million contract award from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to support the new facility. It will be the company’s first U.S.-based facility capable of producing diagnostic-grade membrane.

“This new facility will expand much-needed access of critical raw materials to the world’s most sophisticated diagnostic manufacturers. Our best-in-class lateral flow membranes provide the quality and consistency necessary as manufacturers prepare for new regulations for in-vitro diagnostics and medical devices,” said Jean-Charles Wirth, head of Science and Lab Solutions, Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

“In addition to creating 60 new jobs in Sheboygan, this new facility will provide a major step forward in expanding domestic diagnostic testing as the company’s first lateral flow membrane production facility in the U.S., ensuring our state and country are ready to tackle any public health crisis that comes our way now and into the future,” said Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.