Oxford BioMedica appoints WHP to deliver key expansion project

Multi-disciplinary engineering company WHP Engineering has secured the design, construction and project management contract for the development of a new viral vector manufacturing centre for Oxford BioMedica.

According to a press release from WHP on Tuesday, the new facility is being established in a former Royal Mail sorting office in Oxford. Phases 1 and 2 of the expansion comprise the highly specialist conversion of the building into GMP cleanroom suites and fill and finish production areas, as well as offices, warehousing and quality control laboratories, the engineering company has said.

WHP is responsible for the design and build, including testing and validation which encompasses WHP’s full integrated skillset. The design includes a full 3D BIM model, including clean room architecture, HVAC, M&E and process and critical utilities systems.

Ian Lichfield, Chief Executive of WHP, was referred to as commenting in the press release: “Every cleanroom development requires scrupulous attention to detail in terms of design, engineering and installation and it is particularly satisfying that the duty of care and quality of installation we provided on the original lentiviral vector manufacturing plant has resulted in our involvement in this new and exciting project.”