China's WuXi Biologics said on Monday it will sell its vaccine facility in Ireland to U.S. drugmaker Merck & Co for about $500 million, ahead of potential U.S. legislation that would restrict business for Chinese biotech companies.

WuXi Biologics Cayman Inc. will sell a vaccine facility in Ireland to Merck & Co. for about $500 million as the Chinese company seeks to enhance its margins while continuing to navigate geopolitical tensions.

In Ireland, WuXi Biologics has sold a new vaccines plant to Merck & Co. for €500 million ($521 million). The New Jersey company was a natural buyer of the facility as it was the lone client WuXi Biologics served at the site in Dundalk, executing a 20-year contract to produce vaccines worth $150 million annually.

China's WuXi Biologics said on Monday it will sell its vaccine facility in Ireland to U.S. drugmaker Merck & Co for about $500 million. The Financial Times had reported in October that WuXi and WuXi AppTec are planning to sell some of their operations,

WuXi Biologics, a Chinese biopharmaceuticals company, announced on Monday the sale of its WuXi Vaccines facility in Ireland to MSD International, a subsidiary of Merck & Co. for approximately $500 million.

WuXi Biologics’ move to sell the facility could strengthen the company’s cash flow and margins as it navigates global uncertainties.

WuXi Biologics (OTCPK:WXIBF) is reportedly selling its vaccine facility in Ireland to Merck (NYSE:MRK) as part of a previously announced plan to divest some of its assets. The China-based contract research,