Research and Development Laboratory

The Challenge

When the senior management left Torcan to establish Alphora Research, they called upon us to design the fit-out of their new facilities in the Sheridan Research Park, and at Portland Drive. We are now engaged in a 5-10 year masterplan to plan consolidation prior to implementing Pilot Plant 2. This particular project is a clear demonstration of the strength of our relationships and quality of work that sees our clients return to work with us, time and again, even when they move between organizations.

Achieving a Successful Outcome:

NXL began by working with Alphora to select an appropriate site for their work in developing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients. Working closely with Alphora’s process engineers, NXL then went on to provide programming, design, contract administration, and project management support services. The project was divided into several phases, in two separate facilities.

The facility required complex safety systems such as, extensive explosion-relief panels in the reactor rooms, as well as an automatic spill barrier at the entrance to the solvent storage area, and secondary spill containment within the facility.

• Phase 1 included a kilo lab with walk-in fume hoods and equipment support rooms in their first (rented) facility.
• Alphora then rented a second building, that NXL masterplanned for full fit-out over several phases. Phase 2 included Pilot Plant process rooms and reactors, solvent storage areas, shipping and receiving, administration, and spaces for future fit-out.
• Phase 3 included the fit-out of an additional Kilo Laboratory with a walk-in fume hood, QA/AS Laboratories with multiple desktop fume hoods, sampling rooms, and related offices.
• The next phase is expected to begin in 2010 and will include additional Kilo Labs and a second pilot plant, an enlarged solvent storage facility and related areas. Future phases will consolidate all the R & D and QA labs into adjacent buildings, creating a small campus arrangement.
• Starting with just four people, Alphora has grown to over 80 people working in safe, well organized, and expandable facilities designed by NXL. We continue to support their growth and facility needs in a managed, step by step investment process.