Industry News

PortaFab, a manufacturer of pre-engineered modular building systems, introduced the PharmaSystem cleanroom wall and ceiling solution in February of 2009. Providing an aseptic wall and ceiling system for new or renovated facilities, PharmaSystem utilizes a metal stud framework with walls hanging off one of both sides, creating a utility chase with a more economical panel. To create a smooth panel transition across the surface of a wall, panels have formed or cut edges to connect directly to one another and utilize a caulk joint, gel coat, or chemical weld.

Medical technology company Valeritas is engaged in an expansion of its laboratory facility in Shrewsbury, N.J. The expansion will add 2,000 sf of cleanroom and R&D space to Valeritas’ 21,000-sf facility. The construction manager for the project is Integrated Builders of Braintree, Mass. Valeritas, a manufacturer of drug delivery devices for diabetes treatment, is based is Parsippany, N.J.

Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center’s $270 million facility is slated for completion in July of 2009. The 12-story, 718,000-sf replacement hospital is hurricane resistant in winds up to 150mph. Robins & Morton Group is the general contractor for the project, which began construction in June of 2006. Attached to hospital is a 137,000-sf, five-story medical office building.

East Texas Medical Center-Pittsburg’s $38 million replacement hospital is slated for completion in fall of 2009. The 100,000-sf facility will feature advanced a trauma center, MRI and CT imaging, an expanded emergency department, private rooms, surgical suites, physician offices, and a 10,000-sf wellness center. Construction began on the facility in November of 2007.

The American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009 was signed into law by President Barrack Obama on February 17, 2009. The $787 billion stimulus package includes $2 billion for the Department of Energy Office of Science, including National Laboratories. This award will promote research in energy independence, materials science, climate science, carbon sequestration, biofuels, advanced computing, fusion energy, high-energy physics, and nuclear physics. The investments will include much-needed lab and instrumentation upgrades to support world-class research.