Industry News

Aviagen opened a 15,000-sf veterinary diagnostic and research facility in June of 2011 in Elkmont, Ala. The BSL-2 facility will provide laboratory space for genomics, serology, bacteriology, pathology, tissue sample processing, and molecular diagnostics. The secure facility is an authorized National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) Laboratory and includes dedicated ventilation systems in exam rooms to prevent cross-contamination. Aviagen is based in Huntsville, Ala.

United Therapeutics awarded DPR Construction a $49.9 million contract in June of 2011 to build an 180,000-sf facility on its existing campus in Research Triangle Park, N.C. The addition will provide manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and warehouse space. Completion is expected in 2012.

Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children will begin construction in September of 2011 on a five-story building in Wilmington, Del. The $215 million expansion will provide 144 beds. A 188-car underground parking garage will also be constructed. A three-story facility will connect the new building to the existing hospital. The general contractor for the project is Skanska USA Building. Completion is expected in late 2013.

MSD (Merck Sharp Dohme) opened the Bioassay Centre of Expertise and the Pneumococcal Vaccine Conjugation Facility in June of 2011 in Brinny, Ireland. The facilities represent an investment of $41 million and will support the development, commercialization, and manufacture of vaccines and protein-based therapeutics.

A $4.5 billion renovation of the Pentagon is now complete. The 17-year design-build project included extensive reconstruction of the 6.5 million-sf facility, including reconfiguration to accommodate modern technology and communications systems. The completed Department of Defense headquarters will officially open in summer of 2011.