International pharmaceutical outsourcing services provider, PCI Clinical Services (PCI), completed its expanded Clinical Services Center of Excellence at Bridgend, UK and has commenced to moving into the expansion for progression to full validation.
The new storage and distribution facility will provide PCI with a substantial addition of space, complementing its existing footprint currently utilised for specialist clinical trial logistics as well as packaging, labelling and Qualified Person activities for investigational medicinal products.
Internal fit-out works are now underway at the facility in 2500 Central Park, Bridgend Industrial Estate. Full completion is scheduled for September 2017, with the facility set to be validated and operational by January 2018.
The latest addition to PCI’s Clinical Services Center of Excellence provides a modern, high-spec unit with warehouse and office space across two floors, purpose-built to support PCI’s specialist secondary packaging, storage and logistical needs.
Technical specifications
The new facility will provide specialised capability in supporting temperature-sensitive therapies, including Cold Chain and Ultra Cold Chain, at temperatures ranging from Controlled Ambient 15-25°C, 2-8°C, down to -20°C, -30°C -40°C, -60°C to -90°C.
In addition, this will include liquid nitrogen vapour phase storage below -150°C for Advanced Therapeutic Medicinal Products (ATMPs), as well as bespoke refrigerated and frozen temperatures.
“Specifications included increasing the thermal values of the walls and roof; redesigning the frame of the building so there are no steel posts; and ensuring maximum flexibility for the PCI racking design and layout for optimal product storage,” said Kevin Williams, Operations Director, Bridgend.
PCI's other facilities
Bridgend is one of seven PCI facilities supporting medicines destined to more than 100 countries around the world.
PCI’s presence in Bridgend spans two decades and currently employs approximately 70 expertly trained associates, during which time it has held an exemplary safety record – the site recently celebrated having operated 20 years as accident-free.
PCI has been a tenant on the Central Park estate since 2007 occupying 11,000 sq ft at Biotec House and, with steady investment and growth, expanding five years later into a custom-built 22,000 sq ft space in neighbouring units 2010 and 2130.
This most recent expansion at Bridgend is the latest in a series of significant investments by PCI in developing its presence at the site, including a purpose-built -40°C facility, a broader Cold Chain capacity expansion that increased site storage by more than 400% and continued expansion of frozen storage at -80°C.
The new building sits adjacent to these current facilities.