CRB, a provider of integrated project delivery solutions for vaccine and critical therapy manufacturers, recently completed the design and construction of a large-scale facility for Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM). GRAM has been selected by the U.S. government to increase domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing for vaccines or therapeutics against COVID-19.

GRAM’s new 60,000 sq.-ft. facility in Grand Rapids, MI was built using CRB’s ONEsolution project delivery method, and is one of three GRAM manufacturing facilities. The newest facility was designed to increase GRAM’s large-scale fill and finish capacity with room to expand as demand grows.

CRB’s ONEsolution project team optimized delivery and phasing for GRAM, allowing for fast-tracked procurement, planning, and construction. CRB and GRAM completed the facility on-schedule and on-budget.

“Through close collaboration and enhanced planning with GRAM’s project team, the facility’s operational turn-over, validation and equipment start-up began earlier than otherwise possible, allowing GRAM to begin qualifications and media fills early this year,” said Jesse Adams, project manager for CRB.

As a U.S.-based CDMO, GRAM supports the pharmaceutical supply chain by offering state-of-the-art equipment and providing the capacity to perform advanced aseptic fill and finish services – the last two steps in the manufacturing process for vaccines or therapeutics. GRAM’s facilities will support the U.S. government and help position the nation’s supply chain to handle future public health emergencies.

“When choosing a design-build partner for our new facility, we needed a team we could rely on to ensure the project would be completed to meet all required regulatory requirements as well as on time and on budget, and we found that with CRB,” said John Wichelt, Vice President Client Pharmaceutical Services at GRAM. “Our new facility gives GRAM the capacity, technology and equipment to support urgent response efforts, starting with U.S.-based manufacturing in the fight against COVID-19.”

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