Bioprocessing

An evolution of the equipment and technology researchers need is transforming ordinary labs into facilities that deserve to be called next-generation or future-ready. Significant changes in space utilization and lab planning and design are driven by increased automation and robotics, the incorporation of manufacturing, enhanced information technology with an emphasis on data collection, ever-evolving technologies, developer core/shell fit-outs, hybrid work patterns, and different approaches to project delivery and construction. 

McCord Development is planning to construct BioHub Two in northeast Houston. Comprising 500,000 sf of lab, office, and cGMP manufacturing space, the 45-acre campus will accommodate a total of seven structures offering built-to-suit environments for private companies. This dynamic nexus of innovation and discovery will catalyze synergies with San Jacinto College's planned Biotech Training Center, which will be located nearby.

Moderna is investing $322 million to create a state-of-the-art biomanufacturing center in Marlborough, Mass. Offering leading-edge environments for the production of innovative therapies and vaccines, the state-of-the-art facility will also include a cleanroom, labs, offices, and warehouse areas. The project involves the renovation of a two-story, 140,000-sf building that was purchased in spring of 2023 from Oxford Properties. Sited on 24 acres, the existing structure will be expanded to provide an additional 60,000 sf of space. 

Ultragenyx opened a 110,000-sf gene therapy manufacturing facility in June of 2023 in Bedford, Mass. Advancing the creation of innovative treatments for rare genetic diseases, the sophisticated structure enables the large-scale manufacture of clinical-stage materials and approved products based on adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV). The highly efficient building integrates the company's proprietary Pinnacle PCL™ (producer cell line) platform which delivers optimal quality and scalability while reducing costs.

Alamance Community College opened the $19.4 million Biotechnology Center of Excellence in March of 2023 in Graham, N.C. Designed by Clark Nexsen, the 32,000-sf facility provides a large general teaching lab, a cleanroom, seminar and conference rooms, faculty offices, and specialized labs for programs in biotechnology, medical laboratory technology, histotechnology, and agricultural biotechnology.

Genentech broke ground in February of 2023 on a $280 million biologics manufacturing center in Oceanside, Calif. The small-batch facility will utilize single-use bioreactors for the commercial production of innovative therapeutics such as personalized medicines and treatments for rare diseases. Featuring advanced automation platforms and digital technologies, the 84,000-sf plant will leverage in-house process improvements to achieve increased flexibility, speed, and output.

Apollo Global Management is partnering with GeneSuites to create the Catalyst BioCampus in Holly Springs, N.C. Located in the Oakview Innovation Park, the 446,000-sf development will provide high-performance shell space where life science companies can accelerate the production of next-generation therapeutics. Apollo and GeneSuites paid $40.5 million in December of 2022 for the property, which comprises two 105,000-sf buildings and seven acres for future expansion.

The United States Congress passed Senate Bill 5002 in late 2022 to allow methods other than animal testing to be employed to establish drug efficacy and safety. Dubbed the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, the legislation supports the inclusion of cell-based assays, computer models, and microphysiological systems such as organ chips in preclinical testing operations. The bill also rescinds a stipulation that animal studies must be used when seeking a license for a biological product that is biosimilar or interchangeable with another product.

The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) opened the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre in December of 2022 in Inchinnan in the United Kingdom. Situated in the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland, the £88 million facility features sophisticated GMP environments where new pharmaceutical production methods can be proven at scale.

CSL completed construction in September of 2022 on its $150 million R&D campus in Marburg, Germany. Located in the Görzhausen Industrial Park, the 430,000-sf facility offers sophisticated environments for the creation of next-generation mRNA vaccines, recombinant technologies, and cell and gene therapies. Accommodating up to 500 employees, the multidisciplinary complex represents CSL’s largest global research hub with 75,000 sf of lab space and 75,000 sf of office space.

Sartorius is constructing the $60 million Center of Excellence for BioAnalytics in Ann Arbor, Mich. Designed by Hobbs+Black Architects, the 130,000-sf building will include a process development lab to accelerate the creation of advanced medical therapies. Providing next-generation facilities for biopharmaceutical research, development, production, and testing, the project will enable the company to consolidate business operations currently dispersed throughout Washtenaw County and beyond.

Thermo Fisher Scientific opened a 300,000-sf viral vector center in August of 2022 in Plainville, Mass. Accelerating the creation of advanced cell and gene therapies, the cGMP-compliant facility offers flexible laboratories and production suites for the development, testing, and manufacture of viral vectors. Featuring Thermo Fisher’s advanced bioprocessing technologies and analytical instrumentation, the sustainably designed structure also includes sophisticated office environments and adjacent warehouse spaces.

Pfizer is expanding its Chesterfield campus with the construction of a $60 million addition to support vaccine research and development. Providing leading-edge labs, offices, and support spaces, the three-story, 37,000-sf project will adjoin an existing 261,000-sf facility that opened in 2019. A two-story bridge with a covered plaza will link the completed structure to the rest of the 31-acre site. 

Lincoln Property Company is planning to break ground in early 2023 on a 650,000-sf life sciences center in Boston. Designed by Arrowstreet, Moody Nolan, and Studio Eneé, Seaport Circle will provide Class A lab and office environments for biomedical and pharmaceutical tenants. Two adjoining towers topped by green roof decks will offer flexible, column-free floor plates ranging from 25,000 sf to 70,000 sf.

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has acquired an existing life sciences facility to house the Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training. Sited adjacent to the school's campus in Albany, New York, the 154,000-sf structure is uniquely designed for biomedical research with over 60,000 sf of BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratory space. The five-story building will be renovated to create dedicated gene therapy labs, mammalian cell labs, teaching wet labs, biopharmaceutical pilot plants, and fermentation and downstream processing facilities.