Constructing the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult manufacturing centre

Construction was initiated on the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult manufacturing centre in November 2015, and will be completed in 2017. The following photos tell the story of its construction. 

November 2015

Construction initiated on Cell Therapy Catapult’s £55 million cell and gene therapy manufacturing centre
Cell Therapy Catapult to create cell therapy manufacturing site in Stevenage

December 2015

First pile cap foundations are laid at the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst campus site.

February 2016

First section of steel framework arrive on site, the 7,200m2 GMP manufacturing centre begins to take shape.

March 2016

Stairs now connect the separate floors in different areas of the facility, which could potentially contain 12 flexible clean room modules.

April 2016

Floors begin to take shape separating the 4 floors and services roof space of the manufacturing centre.

May 2016

Walls and ceilings begin to take shape.

June 2016

First layer of breathable waterproof membrane is added to the outside of the building, the membrane will ensure the building is weatherproof.

July 2016

Next a layer of insulation is added to give sound and thermal insulation to the building. Service hangers are installed to fit the walk-on ceiling above the modules on the ground floor.

August 2016

The building is beginning to take shape with glazing and external cladding being installed.

September 2016

The final look of the manufacturing centre is beginning to materialise both internally and externally. Final layer of equitone cladding is added to the exterior and interior walls begin to define the clean room spaces.
Article: Why have we built a clean room in a storage facility?

October 2016

With the exterior of the centre nearing completion, work continues on interior fittings.
Article: Why Stevenage?

November 2016

The interior spaces of the centre begin to materialise while the main air handling plant is now located on the centre roof.
Press release: Autolus to manufacture at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult
News: Advanced Therapies Manufacturing Taskforce report published

December 2016

Plant equipment continues to be installed at the manufacturing centre. Here we can see the GRP weatherproof housings for roof top electrical and control equipment, the main water systems pump ‘skids’ for heating and chilled water services and the air handling plant of the centre roof.

February 2017

All major plant items are now in position, with cleanrooms constructed and flooring in progress. Photos are taken from roof level, intersticial area and IT room.

March 2017

Construction continues on both the interiour and exterior of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult manufacturing centre. Photos here show the north view of the centre, what will become office space and one of the clean rooms.
Press release: Fisher BioServices’ CryoHub to co-locate with manufacturing centre

April 2017

Communal area's begin to take shape. Photos show QC lab, wet plant room and offices.

May 2017

The centre's interiour is really coming along and you can now see the final finishes. Photos show clean rooms including utility pannels and air vents and also the back of a utility panel.

Article: Designing a cell and gene therapy GMP cleanroom

June 2017

Corridors and cleanrooms are now almost complete. Utility pannels are also installed in the cleanrooms ready for the first collaborators.

Press release: Cell Medica acquisition of WT1 T-cell therapy, further development will take place at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult manufacturing centre

July 2017

Final commissioning is now taking place and the centre is almost ready for the first collaborators.

Press release: New investment in Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult manufacturing centre

September 2017

The exterior of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult manufactuiring centre is now complete.

Press release: Partnership with TrakCel to incorporate innovative tracking solution into manufacturing centre supply chain

Article: Innovation in business models – the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult manufacturing centre