DPS Group, a privately-owned, global engineering, procurement, construction management and validation (EPCMV) firm serving high-tech process industries, has been selected by Vibalogics.
The global contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) has chosen DPS to design a new, 110,000 sqft late-phase clinical and commercial manufacturing facility in Massachusetts, US.
Vibalogics specialises in the production of oncolytic viruses, viral vector vaccines and viral vector gene therapy products. Equipped with state-of the-art technology and ability to support a significant capacity increase, including 2000 L scale bioreactors and additional fill-finish capabilities, the $150 million facility is expected to be operational by the second half of 2021.
In May 2020, Vibalogics was selected by Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, a Johnson & Johnson company, as one of its manufacturing partners for its investigational COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
Parties involved
Landlord: Lincoln Property Company
Client: Vibalogics
Architecture & Engineering Design: DPS Group
Construction Administration: DPS Group
Pre-construction: The Cardinal Group
Modular Cleanrooms: Germfree
"A US presence will allow us to be closer to our clients and to offer seamless services from early-stage clinical supply to late stage and commercial supply," said Tom Hochuli, CEO at Vibalogics. "DPS has designed a space for us which offers room for multiple drug substance suites, ensuring we can be flexible and efficient, to meet the current and future demands for our customers. There is also a significant expansion space available in the Boxborough facility which will allow us grow to continually meet our customers' needs."
The building
The building previously served as the East Coast R&D headquarters for Cisco Systems but was not adequately setup for a virotherapy CDMO.
DPS was engaged in June 2020 to provide architectural and engineering concept, basis of design, detail design, and construction administration services for converting the facility for cGMP use.
With over 45 years of global experience and focus in the life sciences sector, DPS was hired due to its expertise in producing flexible and innovative cGMP sterile manufacturing facilities utilising modern design technologies. The company's experience with local authority requirements and permitting make it a natural fit to guide Vibalogics during its expansion into the US market.
Site development will include spaces for office and administration, QC/R&D laboratory, warehousing, GMP, utilities, and parking to support 100 employees. The facility will be built to meet the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for biosafety level 2 Large Scale (BSL-2LS).
DPS was selected as a strategic partner for its ability to deliver future-forward, innovative facilities. The Vibalogics facility incorporates the use of traditional onsite construction methods alongside turnkey modular cleanrooms for the cGMP suites.
DPS worked closely with Vibalogics and cleanroom vendor Germfree throughout this project to deliver a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with maximum cost and schedule efficiency with no compromise on quality, functionality, and flexibility.