Moderna is partnering with Alexandria Real Estate Equities to create a 462,000-rsf headquarters and research facility at the Alexandria Center development at One Kendall Square. Accelerating the discovery and development of mRNA vaccines and therapeutics, the collaborative structure will feature leading-edge R&D labs, sophisticated offices, and engaging gathering spaces.
AstraZeneca is planning to construct a $360 million manufacturing center in the Blanchardstown region of Dublin. Located on the Alexion Campus in College Park, the next-generation facility will leverage advanced process technologies and digital innovation solutions to produce small-molecule APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients). Significantly reducing commercialization lead times, the sustainably designed structure will integrate lean manufacturing practices to lower operating costs and reduce carbon emissions.
Tonix Pharmaceuticals broke ground in August of 2021 on the 45,000-sf Advanced Development Center in Dartmouth, Mass. Enabling the production of clinical-stage vaccines for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, the BSL-2 facility will utilize single-use bioreactors and purification suites for optimal efficiency and flexibility. The cGMP center will also offer state-of-the-art research, development, and analytical suites. Approximately 70 scientists, technicians, and manufacturing staff will work in the turnkey building.
Ivanhoé Cambridge and Lendlease will break ground in summer of 2022 on a 320,000-sf life sciences facility in Boston. Designed by SGA, the nine-story building will provide state-of-the-art labs, offices, and collaboration spaces for biomedical and pharmaceutical tenants. Offering BSL-1 and BSL-2 research environments, the amenity-rich structure will include a multipurpose ground floor, a parking garage, and numerous outdoor areas.
The University of Maryland broke ground in August of 2021 on the $116 million Chemistry Building in College Park. Designed by Ballinger, the flexible 105,000-sf structure will provide 34 modular research labs with robust climate controls and vibration mitigation technologies. Accelerating innovation in advanced materials, nanoscience, energy storage, quantum chemistry, and drug discovery and delivery, the project will include two core facilities, 12 meeting and huddle rooms, open office environments, and 13,000 sf of collaboration space.
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.
The Davis Companies and Boston Development Group broke ground in August of 2021 on a purpose-built life sciences building in Watertown, Mass. The joint-venture project will offer 224,000 rsf of Class A research space for biomedical and pharmaceutical tenants. Designed by Elkus Manfredi Architects, the facility will provide next-generation laboratories, offices, a fitness center, a shared rooftop balcony, six private outdoor areas, and ample indoor parking accessible directly beneath the building.
Howard University will begin construction in 2023 on the National Research Center for Health Disparities in Washington. Accelerating the discovery of new solutions for chronic illnesses, the 260,000-sf facility will provide sophisticated laboratory and office environments where academic investigators can engage in collaborative discovery with pharmaceutical companies and biomedical research organizations.
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.
Vermeulens has released its market outlook report for the second quarter of 2021. Key points include:
Landmark Bio began construction in July of 2021 on a leased facility in Watertown, Mass. Supported by $76 million in funding, the 40,000-sf project will accelerate the availability of novel therapeutics by collocating research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization activities in the same structure. Featuring eight GMP cleanrooms configured to allow production of both cell and viral vector materials, the center will include labs, offices, and quality control suites.
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.
The global life sciences industry has been on the rise, growing more rapidly than ever over the past decade—well before the pandemic struck. In fact, its trajectory only accelerated throughout 2020 and into early 2021—with demand for its products surging and access to capital continuing to greatly expand in both periods. A record $70 billion of private and public capital (mostly venture capital and initial public offerings) poured into life sciences-related companies in North America in 2020, a 93 percent increase from the previous record of $36 billion received in 2018. And if investment continues at the pace we’ve seen in the first quarter of 2021 (already totaling $32.9 billion), we could see somewhere in the area of $90 billion raised this year alone. With COVID-19 challenging the sector last year like never before, the industry has clearly proven itself, sparking a light that illuminated a better way to work, collaborate, and innovate toward the hope of a vaccinated future. The speed at which COVID-19 vaccines have been developed and rolled out is a huge achievement for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and is also a testament to the power of global collaboration. Now that we know what’s achievable in a relatively short amount of time, many will ponder what’s next for the life sciences industry. What else is it capable of doing? With the recent success of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine technology, many researchers are increasingly seeing expanded possibilities in the technology to fight against infectious diseases, cancer, and more. This acceleration of the life sciences industry comes at a critical time, demonstrating the sector’s value and agility when the stakes have been so high.
Nexus Pharmaceuticals opened a $100 million manufacturing facility in July of 2021 in Pleasant Prairie, Wis. Increasing the nation's domestic supply of life-saving medicines, the 84,000-sf structure will produce specialty and generic injectable drugs, including vaccines for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. The three-story building features an advanced isolator system and multiple lyophilization machines to ensure maximum product protection and sterility.
DivcoWest broke ground in June of 2021 on a 375,000-sf life sciences facility in the Cambridge Crossing innovation district. Designed by Ennead Architects with Jacobs Consultancy as the architect of record, the collaborative building will provide leading-edge research environments for biomedical and pharmaceutical tenants. Comprising ten floors of lab space, two penthouse levels, and multiple outdoor terraces, the project will offer generous ceiling heights with minimal interior columns for optimal flexibility.
