Skip to content
FinVector’s new cleanroom facilities used to produce a unique gene medicine

FinVector’s new cleanroom facilities used to produce a unique gene medicine

5.5.2021 – A facility in Savo is the first in the world to produce a new cancer medicine. Finland’s leading cleanroom designers from Granlund Kuopio were responsible for the HVAC and cleanroom design of FinVector’s new manufacturing facilities.

Industries
Hospitals and healthcare, Industry
Services
Cleanroom design
FinVector’s new facilities in Kuopio Image: FinVector.

FinVector, which specialises in the manufacturing of gene and antiviral medicine, has begun the manufacturing of a new medicine intended for the treatment of bladder cancer. The most important markets for the new form of treatment are in the United States, where the medicine’s patient tests are nearing completion. FinVector’s owner, Trizell Group, is currently applying for a sales permit for the medicine.

“We have known for years that the capacity of our existing cleanroom facilities is not high enough when aiming for commercial production”, says FinVector’s Planning, Procurement and Logistics Department Head Mikko Kämäräinen regarding the project’s background. The manufacturing of biological medicinal products is not easy to transfer from one location to another. In fact, the new cancer medicine cannot currently be manufactured anywhere else in the world. “We in Kuopio have unique expertise.”

Local cleanroom design and construction expertise

The new gene medicine’s manufacturing creates approximately 50 new jobs in Kuopio. FinVector also wished to use local expertise for design and construction. “We considered international designers that have experience with pharmaceutical companies, but once we looked at Granlund’s hospital design references, we decided to use the services of a local operator”, says Kämäräinen.

Local cooperation with the same designer from the concept design to the construction phase had many benefits. For example, the designers offered support in contractor selection and tender material preparation. “International companies do not have Granlund Kuopio’s local knowledge and networks that made it easy for us to find local contractors”, says Kämäräinen.

Completing the approximately 25-million-euro project on schedule requires sufficient resources, which were ensured through cooperation between Granlund and AINS Group. AINS Group was responsible for construction management and project management, while Granlund was responsible for cleanliness management and MEP monitoring.

“We got assistance whenever we needed it, meetings were arranged quickly and designers were easy to contact”, summarises Kämäräinen. A welcome addition to seamless cooperation was that Granlund’s Cleanroom Specialist, Mari Jäntti, had previous experience with FinVector’s cleanroom laboratory.

“I am familiar with FinVector’s manufacturing processes and the principles of working in cleanroom facilities, so the manufacturing facility’s operations could be taken into account from the beginning in the design”, says Jäntti. Kämäräinen is also grateful for this. “Communication was smooth in the concept-phase workshop, and it seemed like everyone was on the same page.”

Cleanroom facilities designed for an existing building

The nearly 800-square-metre cleanroom facilities were designed for a space that previously housed office and laboratory spaces in Kuopio’s Technopolis. One challenge was fitting demanding technology into an existing building.

Cleanroom design is always special construction, where HVAC and building automation design is used to ensure the management of air current directions, room pressures, temperatures, moisture and particles”, Jäntti explains. “The cleanliness and room pressure differences achieved with efficient ventilation must be maintained to prevent cross-contamination.”

Granlund also takes care of the manufacturing facilities’ equipment, fixture and layout design. For example, the different spaces required air locks between them. The electrical design also accounted for the hygiene requirements of a cleanroom. “We aimed to integrate all lighting fixtures and sockets into the walls”, says Jäntti.

Knowledge of European and US cleanroom standards

The design of the new manufacturing facilities accounted for both the European GMP cleanroom classification system and the US’s FDA regulations. The required English language validation documentation and testing were exceptionally strict. Quality could not be compromised.

“The designers of a pharmaceutical goods manufacturing facility must know what they are doing and produce high-quality documentation as part of our quality system”, says Kämäräinen.

The new facilities were completed last summer. The first year has involved installing process devices, carrying out validations and making test batches. “One of the most important things has been ensuring the correct functionality of the ventilation system, which ensures biosafety. The facilities’ exhaust air is also filtered”, Jäntti explains.

The facilities have been well-received. “Our manufacturing representatives participated in the design of the facilities, so our employees have been able to use the new facilities smoothly from the start. The equipment works as planned”, says Kämäräinen.

Read also

News: An IC room module as a solution to the coronavirus crisis

Would you like to hear more?

Jukka Vasara

Vice President
Granlund Oy

See our references

Finland

Property manager service strengthens Neste’s maintenance organisation

Service

Property management

Industry

Industry

Property manager services have been developed for situations where additional resources are needed quickly. A professional property manager masters their…
Reference
Sweden

New Ember data center uses only renewable energy

Service

FinVector’s new cleanroom facilities used to produce a unique gene medicine

Industry

Data centers

Compliant with the highest security standards, powered by only renewable energy, and offering a unique monitoring system designed to cut…
Reference
Finland

A suitable space was designed for Finland’s first quantum computer

Service

Construction management and supervision, HVAC design, Electrical design, Building automation design

Industry

Data centers

Quantum computers are computers currently under development, the computing power of which promises answers to tasks which are currently impossible.…
Reference
Granlund Group, Finland

The building services of the HUS Bridge Hospital enable flexible activities

Service

Building automation design, Tele and security design, Fire safety engineering, Energy planning, Energy consulting, Medical equipment design, Electrical design

Industry

Hospitals and healthcare

The design cornerstones of the new HUS hospital building were its simple and effective structure, adaptability and energy efficiency.
Reference
Granlund Group, Finland

The largest energy recycling system in Finland designed for Jumbo

Service

Energy efficiency projects

Industry

Commercial premises and retail

The energy efficiency investment of JumboShopping Centre saves an amount of purchased energy equivalent to the consumption of approximately 300…
Reference
Granlund Group, Finland

Digital property services ensure ideal conditions in Elisa’s facilities

Service

Granlund Manager, Digital services

Industry

Office premises

Elisa has been recognised as a good employer, and wants to ensure it is a good place to work in.…
Reference
Finland, Granlund Group

Helsinki Airport offers an interactive nature experience to its passengers with the help of technology

Service

Audiovisual and presentation technology design

Industry

Transport and logistics

Helsinki Airport’s long-haul central square Aukio offers a unique nature experience for passengers. Through extraordinary AV and presentation technology, they…
Reference
Finland, Granlund Group

Annual energy savings of Finnish universities amount up to EUR 3.5 million

Service

Granlund Manager, Energy management services

Industry

Schools and educational institutions

The close cooperation between Finnish universities and Granlund has generated great results in property management. In just five years, annual…
Reference
Finland, Granlund Group

The Moomin Museum creates experiences enhanced by AV and presentation technology

Service

MEP Design, Audiovisual and presentation technology design

Industry

Culture and historical buildings

Exceptional AV design and presentation technology brings Tove Jansson’s stories to life in the world’s only Moomin Museum. Technology also…
Reference
Finland, Granlund Group

Wärtsilä Smart Technology Hub is a pioneer in eco-efficiency

Service

MEP Design, Environmental certifications

Industry

Industry

Wärtsilä Smart Technology Hub develops environmentally friendly technology in environmentally friendly facilities. Granlund’s designers help Wärtsilä reach the ambitious eco-efficiency…
Reference

Search