Personalized Therapy
In the global fight to cure cancer, an emerging trend has evolved around personalized therapies. Beginning in 2006, EEA worked with Gradalis to finish-out approximately 8,000 sq. ft. of laboratory and pharmaceutical cleanroom space at their Golden Bear facility for the manufacture of custom cancer vaccines and patient clinical trials. The project included 1,400 sq. ft. of Class 1,000 clean space with sterilely-isolated vaccine manufacturing suites and approximately 400 sq. ft. of Class 1,000 clean space to house a bioreactor. The remainder of the project is laboratory space where specimen analysis, material prep and clinical trial patient care takes place. Gradalis’ platform “utilizes the patient’s own cancer cells to create a fully personalized cancer immunotherapy.”
Special to EEA
In a cruel (and ironic) coincidence, while this project was under way EEA’s Senior Vice President Fritz Stinson was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, or kidney cancer. Thankfully the malignant tumor was fully encapsulated and was removed along with the problem kidney; no additional chemotherapy or radiation treatments were required. Because of the relationship Fritz had formed with the exceptional staff at Gradalis, they provided detailed instructions, and literally provided the shipping materials, in order for the surgeons to salvage a portion of the tumor and send to Gradalis for storage in their liquid nitrogen freezer. In the event the cancer ever returns, Gradalis personnel could be able to create a personalized cancer vaccine targeted specifically for Fritz.
EEA provided project management and MEP engineering services to support the design and installation of the cleanrooms and laboratory spaces, working directly for the Owner. We are especially grateful to have been a part of this project.
