Global engineering and construction firm Fluor completed the construction of Bayer’s $250 million pharmaceutical plant in Berkeley, California, this month, according to a press release.
The 100,000-square-foot biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing facility will produce cell therapies for neurological degenerative disorders, cardiovascular disease and other medical needs, according to Bayer. The project also includes space for a second module of production suites to support additional cell therapies as the German drug maker’s portfolio advances.
Fluor built a Bayer biopharmaceutical manufacturing cell center in 2021, according to the company. The Irving, Texas-based contractor also recently booked a separate $574 million life sciences production facility in the central U.S., according to its second quarter earnings report.
Prior involvement in pharmaceutical projects positioned the company favorably for its role on Bayer’s new facility, said Richard Meserole, president of Fluor’s advanced technologies and life sciences business line.
“Fluor’s innovative plant layout and modularized construction approach allowed this facility to be built safely and with capital efficiency,” said Meserole. “The project was phased to allow start-up activities to commence as needed to support production timeline.”
Fluor’s scope of work included the engineering, procurement, construction management, commissioning, qualification and validation for the facility.
The facility will be Bayer’s first fully electric pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, said Sebastian Guth, president of Bayer U.S.
Cheryl Beuning, Fluor global sustainability specialist, recently pushed for environmental, social and governance initiatives and integration within construction, according to a panel session during the 2023 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. She added Fluor has invested in more than 30 initiatives around the world in order to make significant energy reductions.
