Kuijpers equips Smart BioMaterials Consortium in Eindhoven with new GMP cleanrooms in record time

(Bildrechte: Kuijpers) / (Copyright: Kuijpers)

(Bildrechte: Kuijpers) / (Copyright: Kuijpers)

(Bildrechte: Kuijpers) / (Copyright: Kuijpers)

(Bildrechte: Kuijpers) / (Copyright: Kuijpers)

(Bildrechte: Kuijpers) / (Copyright: Kuijpers)

(Bildrechte: Kuijpers) / (Copyright: Kuijpers)

(Bildrechte: Kuijpers) / (Copyright: Kuijpers)

How do you design and build four high-quality GMP cleanrooms in record time without the process being fully defined? Kuijpers was awarded this contract by Smart BioMaterials Consortium (SBMC), a young organisation that supports start-ups in the development of regenerative therapies. SBMC has a development laboratory on the campus of Eindhoven University of Technology and a pilot production facility on the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven. Time was tight, but a fully qualified cleanroom facility was completed within six months.

Controlled environments

SBMC supports companies in developing and scaling regenerative therapies that help the human body repair or replace damaged or diseased cells. To this end, they provide laboratory space, expertise and now also a production facility that meets all medical standards. Jan Rietsema, CEO: ‘We don't develop therapies ourselves, but support other companies in manufacturing their therapies based on biomaterials. These are, for example, combinations of cells and materials that stimulate the body to heal itself, for example in bone or vascular tissue. Our customers often don't have their own clean room. With this facility, they can produce themselves in a controlled environment.’

Six months from design to completion

When Kuijpers received the contract at the end of October 2024, there was still an empty hall in Eindhoven. In just six months, the GMP cleanrooms were designed, built, qualified and completed. ‘We worked closely with SBMC from the outset. We met on a weekly basis. It was all about making decisions, switching gears and keeping each other on our toes‘, says Frank Roovers, Project Manager Controlled Environments at Kuijpers.

The biggest challenge, apart from planning, was that the final tenants were still unknown. ‘Normally, you build a cleanroom for a specific process. Now we had to ensure that the rooms were flexible enough to accommodate all possible processes.’

Flexible in use

Kuijpers covered almost all disciplines required in cleanrooms. The installation technology includes air treatment, cooling, heating, electrical systems and air flow regulation. All construction work was also carried out with the help of the Cleanroom Combination Group: from airtight walls and ceilings to specially processed floors that comply with GMP guidelines. Particular emphasis was placed on flexibility. Instead of fixed connection points, supply boxes were installed in the ceiling. ‘This allows electricity, gases or data to be used anywhere in the room. Ideal for tenants who are still developing their processes. Whether they want to set up equipment on the left, right or in the middle, the system adapts’, explains Frank Roovers.

Working together under high pressure

Kuijpers also supplied the EMS monitoring system, which continuously monitors the room for temperature, pressure differences and particle counts. The validation was carried out by Kuijpers, with Yxion acting as an independent observer. Frank Roovers: ‘It really was a complete package. And all in record time.’ Construction work began immediately after the Christmas holidays. ‘On Monday morning, we had 20 people on site. At peak times, 13 aerial work platforms were in use at the same time. Without tight planning and organisation on the construction site, this would never have been possible. Everyone knew exactly what was expected of them. That made all the difference.’ The design was not finalised until shortly before construction began. ‘This meant that some decisions still had to be made on site. You need a customer who thinks along with you and dares to make quick decisions. And that's exactly what SBMC did.’

Building a GMP facility was also an intensive learning process for SBMC. ‘Sometimes we had to make decisions about pipes or connection points on site. That was difficult at times’, says Jan Rietsema. Discussions between Kuijpers and SBMC employees were sometimes heated. ‘That certainly caused friction. But everyone knew why we were doing it: to create a high-quality environment for our customers. And we succeeded.‘

Before deadline and within budget

Another important plus point: the project was completed within the agreed budget. ‘That's very important for a start-up like us. Kuijpers did a fantastic job and will also take care of the maintenance of the clean rooms. Something has been created that our customers can really benefit from. The first tenants have already been found.‘ Frank Roovers is also proud. ’Everyone stuck to the agreements. And because we communicated openly and responded quickly, we managed to do it within the agreed deadline. We really achieved this as a team and together with our partners.‘