Suffolk Construction to build bioprocessing center for UMass Dartmouth - $21.5 million

Suffolk Construction has been awarded a $21.5 million contract from the University of Massachusetts Building Authority to manage construction on an innovative new bioprocessing facility for the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Located on a four-acre site 10 miles off campus, the unique 38,000 s/f facility will function as an incubator space for small life science companies in the SouthCoast Biopark. The one-story facility will provide a venue in which companies can test their bio-manufacturing processes at scale while paying a monthly rent that is lower than traditional lab space. This arrangement will allow these start-ups to generate new therapeutic materials for pre-clinical testing, as well as train their current and future workforce. This model will allow the Biopark to effectively grow successful life science companies, who may then locate into larger facilities within the park. The facility will feature a variety of laboratories including research, development, training, quality control, cell culture production, and purification suites. One feature of the project is a series of controlled access labs that will allow potential users of the facility to view cellular and molecular testing and drug development through glass partitions. A warehouse area, laboratory support spaces, lecture rooms, an office area, and parking for 50 cars are also part of the scope. Suffolk will work with Elkus Manfredi Architects on the project, which will include many energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable elements. At a minimum, the building will be LEED Certified and will include asmall cogeneration system. Construction began in April. Upon its completion in 2013, the bioprocessing facility will be an important asset to the advancement of the life sciences industry within Massachusetts.