Animal Research

The University of Utah broke ground in April of 2009 on the $130 million James L. Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building in Salt Lake City. Anchoring the University’s new Interdisciplinary Quadrangle, the 200,000-sf research facility will feature advanced imaging and nanotechnology laboratories and a 20,000-sf nanofabrication suite. Comprised of five stories, one below grade, the facility will house flexible open labs and four specialty core labs for small animal imaging, biomedical microscopy, engineering microscopy, and nanofabrication.

Pfizer dedicated its newly renovated laboratory and office facility in Kalamazoo, Mich., in April of 2009. The 780,000-sf project will serve as the global headquarters for Pfizer’s animal genetics and veterinary medicine R&D operations. Housing 680 employees, the $75 million project will consolidate staff from Richland Township, Pa., and Sandwich, U.K.

Montana State University is planning to construct three new facilities to house the Northern Agricultural Research Center in Havre, Mont. The $1.8 million project will begin construction in summer of 2009 with the first facility slated for completion in early 2010. The completed Northern Agricultural Research Center will house offices, laboratories, meeting rooms, a livestock research facility, a calving barn, and a chemical handling facility.

Tufts University dedicated the $33.7 million New England Regional Biosafety Laboratory on March 30, 2009. Sited on 5.4 acres in North Grafton, Mass., the 41,000-sf project provides 649-sf of BSL-2 space and 8,480-sf of BSL-3 space for zoonotic disease research. The secure facility was designed by Flad Architects and includes laboratories, a vivarium, an insectary, and support space. Construction began on the laboratory in September of 2007.

Covance celebrated the official opening of its $175 million animal research facility in Chandler, Ariz., in late March of 2009. The two-story, 288,000-sf pharmaceutical testing facility includes five laboratories, a vivarium, animal care space, and a 100-seat auditorium. Construction began on the project in June of 2007 and reached completion in May of 2008. The facility is sited on 77 acres and houses mice, rats, dogs, and monkeys. A second expansion phase is planned at the facility that could begin construction in 2011. Covance is based in Princeton, N.J.

The University of Adelaide broke ground on the $37 million Veterinary Science School in Roseworthy, South Australia, in March of 2009. Slated for completion in 2010, the 5,000-sm building will house teaching labs, a clinical skills lab, a pathology teaching and diagnostic suite, a distance learning suite, and a veterinary teaching hospital.

The University of Oxford opened the £5 million Jenner Institute Laboratories in February of 2009 in the United Kingdom. The facility features laboratories for vaccine research and development for diseases including malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, and bird flu. The Jenner Institute is a partnership between Oxford University and the Institute for Animal Health (IAH). The facility integrates basic science research in immunology and genetics with clinical vaccine development and commercialization.

The Scottish Agricultural College opened a £1.3 million beef research center near Edinburgh in Easter Howgate in February of 2009. Funded in part by the Scottish Government, the 3,000-sm facility can house up to 500 bovines. Designed for flexibility, the building will enable researchers to alter operational layouts to study animal production, genetic improvement, behavior, welfare, and greenhouse gas reduction.

Covance opened its $100 million animal research facility in Chandler, Ariz., in January of 2009. The two-story, 288,000-sf facility includes five laboratories, a vivarium, animal care space, and a 100-seat auditorium. Construction began on the project in June of 2007 and reached completion in May of 2008. The facility is sited on 77 acres and houses mice, rats, dogs, and monkeys. Covance is based in Princeton, N.J.

Novus International’s new 90,000-sf global headquarters is slated for completion in early spring of 2009. Novus, an animal health and nutrition company, will consolidate its research and administrative operations in the $20 million facility. Sited in the Missouri Research Park in St. Charles, the project involved renovation of Novus’ existing 42,000-sf building and the addition of 48,000 sf. General contractor Clayco of St. Louis initiated construction in August of 2007 on the facility, which includes 10 laboratories, offices, and a training center.

Memphis VA Medical Center initiated a $6 million renovation of its animal research facility in December of 2008. The 38,000-sf project includes the 14,000-sf Veterinary Medical Unit (VMU) and 24,000 sf of basic research space. The renovation will add 10,000 sf to the VMU and will increase laboratory and animal housing space for research on mice, rats, and rabbits. The project is slated for completion in mid-2010.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended the public comment period for a proposed contingency planning rule for animal research facilities. The rule would require licensees and registrants under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to create emergency response plans detailing power, water, and HVAC backup operations; response and recovery chain of command; evacuation or shelter-in-place strategies; and sanitation, bedding, feeding, and veterinary services. APHIS may also develop a contingency planning guidance document for animal facilities.

Pahang Bioscience is partnering with BCRO Stem Cell Transplantation to create a RM300 million stem cell research center in Temerloh, Malaysia. The facility will include an animal research laboratory, stem cell culture facilities, medical treatment areas, and a closed-colony rabbit farm.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is expanding its animal research and storage facilities in White Cross, N.C. An animal storage building and a well and water treatment plant is slated for completion in early 2009. The University is also planning to construct additional storage, research, and treatment facilities at the Research Resources Facility site for dogs, pigs, rodents, and sheep.

The University of Queensland is relocating the School of Veterinary Science from Brisbane to Gatton, Australia. Housing teaching and research facilities, the $100 million project is slated for completion in late 2009. The $33 million Centre for Advanced Animal Science, funded by the Queensland Government, is also under construction in Gatton.