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RIVERSIDE, PA-Under an unusual agreement, Merck & Co. Inc. has sold its 327-acre pharmaceutical manufacturing complex to an entity of Philadelphia-based PRWT Services Inc. PRWT will continue to operate the plant through its affiliate, Cherokee Pharmaceuticals LLC.

Simultaneous with the acquisition, Cherokee signed a five-year supply agreement with Merck for an estimated value of between $100 million and $200 million a year. The plant, known as the Cherokee chemical manufacturing plant, produces antibiotic products for humans and animals. It was among the largest employers in Northumberland County, and the new owner is retaining all 400 employees.

PRWT is an African-American owned company and one of the largest minority-owned firms in the US. It was founded in 1988 to provide business process outsourcing services to state and local governments nationwide. It entered a new line of business in 2000 with the acquisition of Philadelphia-based US Facilities Inc., a facilities management firm. The Merck buy marks its entry into the pharmaceuticals arena.