Drugmaker Merck & Co. is shutting down eight manufacturing plants and eight research sites, including one in Montreal employing some 180 people.

The researchers and scientists at the Kirkland-based Merck Frosst laboratory were given notice of the closure Thursday, and operations will cease by the end of 2010.

Merck & Co. is the U.S.-based parent company to Merck Frosst.

The West Island centre focuses on research into drugs to treat infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. Some of that research will be transferred to another facility, said officials.

Merck Frosst