Biomedical

Gilead Sciences is constructing the Cancer Research Center in Foster City to accelerate the creation of novel solutions for pressing medical challenges. Driven by the company's enterprise master plan, the project is part of a strategic initiative to develop an internal research infrastructure that advances discovery in key focus areas and brings new technological capabilities in-house. The 182,000-sf facility was designed by Gensler to catalyze synergies between 54 clinical programs spanning oncology, inflammation, and virology.

AstraZeneca opened a $300 million cell therapy facility in May of 2025 in Rockville, Md. Developed by Alexandria Real Estate Equites, the 84,264-rsf building features specialized environments for the production of chimeric antigen receptor therapies (CAR-T) and T-cell receptor therapies (TCR-T). Next-generation biomanufacturing suites will leverage advanced process controls to create life-saving personalized medicine treatments, spanning every step from culturing and formulation to testing.

Merck broke ground in April of 2025 on a $1 billion biologics center of excellence in Wilmington, Del. Leveraging sophisticated automation solutions and artificial intelligence technologies, the 470,000-sf facility will offer laboratory, manufacturing, and logistics capabilities. The leading-edge structure will enable the launch and commercial production of next-generation biologics and therapies, including potent antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

Bruntwood SciTech opened Citylabs 4.0 in March of 2025 in Manchester in the United Kingdom. Created in partnership with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), the £42 million ($55.3 million) facility promises to catalyze breakthroughs in precision medicine, healthcare, and the life sciences. The development’s strategic colocation with MFT in the city’s biomedical cluster enables direct access to joint clinical trials, diagnostic collaborations, and advanced resources to accelerate the discovery and implementation of healthcare innovations.

Simmons University is partnering with Skanska to create Longwood Place, a vibrant nexus for research, work, and community engagement in Boston. Featuring 2.6 acres of public space, the mixed-use project will leverage sophisticated amenities to transform the district into a destination for economic growth and innovation. The redevelopment of the university’s residential campus in Fenway will provide over 1.3 million sf of Class A lab and office environments, retail and community venues, and approximately 380 housing units.

The University of British Columbia opened a CAD 139.4 million (USD 100.3 million) facility for the School of Biomedical Engineering in April of 2025 in Vancouver, Canada. Designed by Patkau Architects and Architecture49, the 158,000-sf Gordon B. Shrum Building enables hands-on education and training for students in the life sciences and catalyzes innovative solutions for pressing health challenges.

Biogen is planning to centralize its operations with a 580,000-sf global headquarters in the Kendall Common development in Cambridge, Mass. Representing a 15-year lease agreement, the facility’s strategic location will strengthen existing partnerships with MIT in research, education, and commercialization, and build on Biogen’s legacy as an integral part of the Kendall Square ecosystem.

Brandywine Realty Trust has completed construction on 3151 Market Street, a dynamic innovation facility in the heart of Philadelphia’s life sciences cluster. Designed by Gensler, the 472,000-sf tower offers purpose-built offices and customizable laboratories with options for chemical and biological use, GMP production, and vivarium operations. Collaboration and knowledge exchange are enhanced by an advanced conference center and a café, complemented by private terraces and green spaces to amplify employee productivity.

Roche announced the launch of the Roche Genentech Innovation Center in March of 2025 on Harvard’s Enterprise Research Campus in Allston. With an initial lease of 30,000 sf of lab space in the first phase of construction, Roche intends to expand their R&D presence to eventually accommodate 500 employees. The initiative will bring together cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism experts with data science and AI specialists to accelerate innovation in drug discovery and development.

The 2024 SEFA Lab of the Year was awarded to the new Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED) Center in Basel, Switzerland, that opened in September 2024 as a state-of-the-art research center dedicated to the discovery and development of groundbreaking drugs. The pRED Center exemplifies the future of transformative research by fostering innovation and collaboration, and embodying Roche’s commitment to advancing global healthcare and delivering life-changing treatments. 

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is planning to create a vibrant destination for education, research, and innovation in Kips Bay that is supported by $1.6 billion in state and city funding. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill is the master planner for the Science Park and Research Campus (SPARC), a first-of-its-kind learning and training center that will offer up to two million sf of academic, public health, and life science space.

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. 

Moderna completed construction on a £150 million complex in the United Kingdom for the discovery and production of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics for COVID-19 and emerging respiratory health threats. Located on the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire, the Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre (MITC) comprises two 145,000-sf buildings for research, development, and manufacturing.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore opened a 250,000-sf innovation center in January of 2024 to drive biomedical advances and accelerate the discovery of new health solutions. Developed and operated by Wexford Science + Technology, 4MLK serves as the gateway to the UM BioPark and will offer leasable space for life science and technology companies.

The past few decades have brought myriad technological changes to our daily lives, and experts predict the pace of change will only increase—especially in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Much of the talk surrounding AI focuses on automating repetitive processes and analyzing data, which require additional computational power but not necessarily structural modifications. But emerging technologies, including AI and robotics, may require universities and companies to rethink their approach to designing and planning buildings and labs.