Genomics

The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute, a nonprofit research organization affiliated with MIT and Harvard University, is expanding its presence in Cambridge with the long-term lease of a 225,000-sf facility. Developer Boston Properties is transforming an existing six-story building at 300 Binney Street into a state-of-the-art biomedical hub where interdisciplinary teams will engage in collaborative research and discovery.

Claremont McKenna College broke ground in October of 2022 on the Robert Day Sciences Center in Claremont, Calif. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the 135,000-sf facility will provide the Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences with classrooms, collaboration spaces, teaching and research labs, and faculty offices. The open, light-filled structure will embody the convergence of computational, life, and social sciences by supporting a progressive pedagogy focused on three key areas: Gene, Brain, and Planet.

Johnson & Johnson opened its San Francisco Bay Campus in September of 2022 in Brisbane, Calif. Accommodating up to 400 employees, the 200,000-sf facility bridges key scientific and technological capabilities by collocating the biomedical research activities of subsidiary firm Janssen Pharmaceuticals with J&J's innovation and technology divisions. The collaborative R&D hub houses leading-edge laboratories, flexible office environments, and space for joint development with industry partners.

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.

The University of Cambridge opened the Heart and Lung Research Institute in the United Kingdom in July of 2022. Created in partnership with the Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the £60 million facility features state-of-the-art labs for cellular, molecular, and translational research. Accommodating 380 academic and industry scientists, the 86,000-sf project houses a high-throughput characterization suite, a genetics and functional genomic center, the relocated Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, and the 10-bed Clinical Research Facility.

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.

The University of Pennsylvania and Longfellow Real Estate Partners are planning to construct a 455,000-sf life sciences center on the Pennovation Works property in Philadelphia. Designed by Jacobs, the project will include three structures providing a total of 387,000 sf of R&D space and 68,000 sf of biomanufacturing space for the production of cell and gene therapies.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham broke ground on the Altec/Styslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences Building in April of 2022. Designed by Williams Blackstock Architects, the $78 million project involves the renovation and expansion of the existing Lyons-Harrison Research Building to accommodate leading-edge laboratories, computational suites, collaboration spaces, meeting rooms, and offices.

Wake Technical Community College opened the $47 million Lilly Science and Technology Center in Morrisville in March of 2022. Designed by O'Brien Atkins Associates, the 66,000-sf facility features smart learning environments for programs in biotechnology and business analytics. Housing a biochemistry lab for training in raw materials testing and in-process sampling, the three-story building also provides a microbiology lab where students can learn best practices for gene therapy, genetics, cell culture, DNA manipulation, and industrial microbiology.

Eli Lilly & Company is investing approximately $700 million to create the Institute for Genetic Medicine in Boston. Located in the Seaport district, the leased facility will provide 334,000 rsf of leading-edge research space for the discovery of innovative RNA and DNA-based therapies. The project will also include a shared R&D center with dedicated and configurable lab environments to enable biotech start-ups to collaborate with Lilly scientists.

The University of Vermont is building the $45 million Firestone Medical Research Building in Burlington. Designed by Payette and Black River Design, the collaborative 62,250-sf structure will provide the Larner College of Medicine with core facilities, flexible labs, conference rooms, and support spaces.

The Fitzsimons Innovation Community broke ground in August of 2021 on Bioscience 5 in Aurora, Colo. Strategically located next to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, the 90,000-sf building will enable biomedical and pharmaceutical tenants to manufacture next-generation cell and gene therapy products on a commercial scale. Saunders Construction is the general contractor for the highly flexible facility, which is slated for occupancy in spring of 2022.

Precision NanoSystems is constructing its global headquarters in Vancouver, British Columbia. Located in the four-story Evolution Block building, the 75,000-sf leased facility will feature a GMP biomanufacturing center for the production of genetic medicines and RNA-based therapeutics. The federal government has contributed CAD$25.1 million in funding towards the project's construction to increase the nation's domestic supply of COVID-19 vaccines and prepare for future pandemics.

Boston Properties broke ground in July of 2021 on a $105 million life sciences facility in Waltham, Mass. Designed by Stantec, 180 CityPoint will provide leasable lab and office environments with exceptional access to natural light and views. Featuring shared meeting spaces and a collaborative co-working nexus, the six-story, 329,000-sf building will include an expansive roof deck, a food hall, a wellness center, an indoor basketball court, and a 900-car parking structure.

Greatland Realty Partners began construction in April of 2021 on Revolution Labs in Lexington, Mass. Designed by SGA, the three-story, 180,000-sf life sciences building will provide leasable laboratory and office facilities for biomedical and pharmaceutical companies.