Germfree has delivered a 53-foot containment cleanroom trailer to a major US pharmaceutical company where they will work on a COVID-19 vaccine. This was the first, of what is expected to be, many mobile laboratory spaces that will be delivered to scientists and organisations working on virus and antibody testing, vaccine development, research, and deployment solutions.
Germfree supplied the biocontainment unit specifically designed for COVID-19 vaccine development. Since the 1990s, Germfree has pioneered the use of mobile containment cleanrooms for surge capacity, hospital renovations, and emergency preparedness.
This experience positions Germfree to provide what is needed today as well as solutions that can be easily tailored in the future to meet needs that have yet to be identified.
"While not endorsing any particular company or product, rapidly deployable, complete laboratories will greatly enhance the US response to testing for COVID-19," said Paul Jensen, Lead for Infection Control and Biosafety at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), upon commenting on flexible solutions and laboratory safety.
Just as scientists and healthcare professionals have pivoted to focus efforts on reducing the lethality of COVID-19, Germfree employees and the company's supply chains have coordinated to be ready to provide researchers and healthcare systems with what they need to fight this virus.
With an Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce designation from the Department of Homeland Security and procedures in place to protect the health of employees, Germfree remains ready to produce.
Over the years, Germfree has developed strong relationships with vendors, assuring a continuous supply chain for production. Some, such as Kentucky Trailer, a key provider of specialty mobile platforms, are prioritising Germfree so that the company can quickly meet the needs in the field.
"We clearly understand the importance of Germfree's mobile labs in the national response to COVID-19. Early on, we worked together to put a plan in place to prioritise critical production demands and maintain supply chain resiliency during these unprecedented circumstances," said Tom Harper, VP at Kentucky Trailer.
"As an essential critical infrastructure business, Kentucky Trailer and our dedicated associates are honoured to assist Germfree in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic," added Gary Smith, President and CEO of Kentucky Trailer. "What we make matters, underscored by the importance in the combined effort of two great companies partnering to address this historic, must-win challenge."
Other manufacturers have stepped up to formalise plans to provide Germfree with components. "We put extra mechanisms in place to avert disruptions and secure the supply chain for Germfree during the pandemic," said Tim Confer, President, Northern Air Systems, a provider of specialty cooling units for the mobile laboratories.
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has designated Germfree and its employees as 'Essential Mission Infrastructure Support'. Together, with its collaborating vendors, Germfree will continue to employ Americans to provide scientists and healthcare systems with the critical biocontainment capacity they need to save lives and win the fight against this virus.