Pfizer broke ground in June of 2017 on a $200 million research and development facility in Chesterfield, Mo. Housing the BioTherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences group, the 295,000-sf project will enable the advancement of Pfizer’s biologics, vaccines, and gene therapy portfolio. Designed by Forum and EwingCole, the facility will feature flexible laboratories, open offices, and collaboration spaces with advanced conferencing technologies.
The Huntsman Cancer Institute opened the $173 million Primary Children’s and Families’ Cancer Research Center in June of 2017 in Salt Lake City. Providing advanced genetic sequencing technologies, the six-story, 242,000-sf facility houses biomedical laboratories, space for clinical trials, administrative offices, and a vivarium. The center was designed by Architectural Nexus with Jacobsen Construction as general contractor. The Huntsman Cancer Institute is part of the University of Utah.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s annual summary report on animal welfare has revealed that the number of animals used in biomedical research rose by seven percent in 2016, from 767,622 in 2015 to 820,812. However, the number of animals held but not used in research decreased by 69 percent from 445,972 in 2015 to 137,444.
Merrick & Company has launched an independent forum to advance the issues of biosafety and biosecurity in the laboratory and in the field. The Merrick Biosafety and Biosecurity Consulting Advisory Board (BS&S CAB) will provide clients and associates with direct access to experts and publications in the fields of biosafety, biosecurity, threat management, public policy, developing technologies, and international issues.
The University of Luxembourg is building an animal research facility on its Belval campus in Esch-sur-Alzette. Supporting research programs in neurology, oncology, and immunology, the project will provide two breeding rooms, three surgical suites, three behavioral rooms, and vivarium space for approximately 6,000 mice and rats. Construction began on the facility in December of 2016 and occupancy is expected in September of 2017.
Jinyu Bio-technology will break ground in July of 2017 on a vaccine research facility in the Kansas State University Office Park. Supporting the development of new animal health products, the project will include a 2,400-sf lab, three offices, and 800 sf of cleanroom space. Completion is expected in 2018. The siting of the lab near the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, currently under construction, will support research and development synergies with government, academic, and industry partners. Jinyu Bio-technology is based in Hohhot, China.
Colorado State University broke ground in June of 2017 on the $65 million C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Medicine Institute in Fort Collins. The three-story, 100,000-sf facility will provide the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences with clinical and research laboratories, a technology-rich surgical center, and a 200-seat auditorium. The project will support the creation of advanced biological therapies for both humans and animals, with applications being tested in veterinary patients as a precursor to the development of human treatments.
The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research opened the Advanced Research Centre for Infectious Diseases in May of 2017 at the University of Ghana in Accra. Supporting the detection, testing, and study of infectious diseases and pathogenic agents, the facility features animal research labs, a BSL-3 (P3) biocontainment lab, and vivarium space. Construction of the project, which includes a solar energy plant, was made possible by a $21 million grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) and the City University of New York (CUNY) are developing a joint facility in New York City. MSK’s 23-story outpatient tower, the 750,000-gsf David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care, will feature advanced surgical suites, radiation therapy rooms, and dedicated space for clinical trials. CUNY’s six-story, 400,000-gsf (336,000-asf) Hunter College Science and Health Professions Building will provide sophisticated simulation training suites, teaching and research labs, a technology-rich library, faculty offices, and a vivarium.
Murray State University opened the new Breathitt Veterinary Center in May of 2017 in Hopkinsville, Ky. Replacing the state’s existing animal health lab, the $33 million facility features a BSL-3 suite, an expanded necropsy area, technology-rich classrooms, and collaborative research space. The 77,000-sf center provides 53,000 sf of dedicated diagnostic facilities and features an advanced HVAC system to enhance biosecurity throughout the building. Ground was broken in September of 2014 on the sustainably designed project, which is expected to attain LEED Silver.
The Pirbright Institute is planning to build the £48 million High Containment Large Animal Facility in Pirbright in the United Kingdom. Designed by NBBJ, the project will provide advanced biocontainment labs and vivarium space to support collaborative research on infectious diseases including foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza, and African swine fever.
Auburn University will begin construction in summer of 2017 on the Poultry Infectious Disease Biocontainment Research Facility in Auburn, Ala. Designed to exceed state and federal compliance standards, the 5,000-sf facility will enable investigators from the College of Agriculture to perform research on live birds as well as infectious disease agents. Occupancy is expected in summer of 2018. Additionally, a $3 million administration building will be constructed at the Charles C. Miller Jr. Poultry Research and Education Center.
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory opened its new $53 million headquarters in College Station in April of 2017. Designed by Perkins+Will, the 93,000-sf facility features open-plan research areas, BSL-3 labs for the detection and study of infectious diseases, BSL-2 labs, a full-service necropsy suite, a conference room, and a secure sample drop-off area. Vaughn Construction broke ground on the project in late 2014.
Veterinary pharmaceutical firm HIPRA is planning to begin construction in mid-2017 on its North American headquarters in Mantua Township, N.J. Located on 25 acres in the South Jersey Technology Park at Rowan University, the 375,000-sf facility will house research and development labs for the creation of animal health vaccines. The $100 million project will be developed in several phases and will include manufacturing, distribution, and warehouse space. HIPRA is based in Girona, Spain.
Canadian pharmaceutical company Apotex began construction in spring of 2017 on a $184 million research and advanced manufacturing center in Miramar, Fla. The facility will house the firm’s U.S. headquarters as well as accommodating R&D, production, and packaging operations. Completion is expected in early 2019.
