The pharmaceutical company BIOGEN decided to build a next generation biologics manufacturing facility in Luterbach, Switzerland, to produce medication for Alzheimer treatment. The project was completed with an approved SINA certification for the Warehouse in November 2019. Basic and detailed Engineering was carried out by Jacobs, that also acted as EPCm for Biogen.
Pioneers in neuroscience
Biogen is a pioneer in neuroscience. It was founded in 1978 as one of the first global biotech companies by Charles Weissmann, Heinz Schaller, Kenneth Murray and the later Nobel prize winners Walter Gilbert and Phillip Sharp. Together with the world’s best neurologists, doctors and scientists, Biogen pushes the limits of neuroscientific research for the benefit of society. Biogen’s final aim is to improve the life of patients while respecting current regulations and ethical principles. With innovative technology and expertise, new therapies for diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer, Parkinson and ALS will become available more quickly and with the highest possible quality. The new plant in Luterbach was needed to produce Alzheimer medication.
Carbon neutral manufacturing
Biogen invested close to € 1 billion to build two state-of-the-art manufacturing buildings and a warehouse. The new plant was designed to have a carbon neutral footprint by reducing emissions of the production process. But it also set up advanced systems for recycling, composting and incineration to convert any waste to energy. Equans supported the customer by taking on the extra work in addition to the basic scope of the plans. We invested 190,000 man-hours between 2016 and mid-2018 to deliver all the works in a timely manner, despite the size and complexity. Our multilinguistic team definitely contributed to a fluid communication with the customer and other subcontractors on site. A vital precondition in large projects like this.
Certified E&I works for the warehouse
Equans was awarded the electrical and instrumentation (E&I) works for the warehouse building in 2016. We carried out project and construction management, procurement, supply and installation of all E&I equipment including cable ladders and trays, cable systems, low and medium voltage equipment, UPS-units including batteries, cabinets installation and cable connection, variable speed drives, fire detection, lighting fixtures, emergency lighting system … Of course, we carried out extensive testing and provided commissioning assistance and support services. The warehouse received a Swiss SINA certificate for electrical safety in November 2019. Thanks to the solid relationship with the customer and our desire to assist with installation and operation, Equans was awarded several subsequent jobs by the client.
