ISPE Announces 2023 Facility of the Year Awards

The International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) has recognized Genentech as the 2023 Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA) Overall Winner for the Clinical Supply Center (CSC) project located in South San Francisco, CA.

The winner was announced during ISPE’s FOYA Celebratory Reception and Banquet. The team behind Genentech’s CSC set out to create an innovative manufacturing facility that sets a new paradigm for future projects through the incorporation of new technologies and a team culture of collaboration.

"Transforming this facility from vision to reality during the global pandemic required tremendous creativity and dedication from our diverse team," said Jeff Davis,  Executive director & site head, Genentech. "We are thrilled to be recognized as the 2023 FOYA overall winner for our work bringing the next generation of innovative new medicines to patients."

In May 2023, Genentech’s CSC received the 2023 FOYA Pharma 4.0 Category Award (see below). 

The facility’s innovative ballroom design enabled by single-use technologies, combined with the usage of digitization and automation, allows the facility to quickly shift production between different therapies while simplifying utility lines and reducing the need for specific equipment. As a small-volume clinical biologics facility, the CSC is built for agility and speed while maintaining high-quality standards for the safety of patients.

Designed to serve as a template for future Genentech facilities, the CSC’s integrated automation, robotics, and operations management systems facilitate seamless control by a central team. Genentech also prioritized sustainability in the facility’s design–particularly due to the incorporation of single-use technologies. 

2023 FOYA Category Winners include:

Innovation–Chugai Pharma Manufacturing Co., Ltd.: Based in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, Chugai was awarded for its FJ2 project as it incorporates various cutting-edge building design and equipment concepts to ensure the protection of both the product and workers. These measures include the utilization of smart isolator containment technology, world-class high-potency containment technology, and careful design considerations for worst-case scenarios.

Operations–WuXi Biologics Ireland Limited: Based in County Louth, Ireland, WuXi was awarded for its project WuXi Biologics Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) Ireland. This inspiring project proves that facilities can be developed on a highly accelerated schedule, using innovative solutions while complying with regulatory requirements, overcoming unknown barriers, cooperating with the community, and upholding project success and product safety.

Pharma 4.0 – Genentech: Based in San Francisco, CA, Genentech’s project, the Genentech South San Francisco Clinical Supply Center (CSC), demonstrates how the application of bold objectives and end-to-end planning, innovation in applying digital technologies, deep team alignment and integration, and challenging paradigms all lead to a cutting-edge manufacturing facility. This delivers improved outcomes in terms of construction, safety, sustainability, facility productivity, and patient access to innovative medicines.

Social Impact & Supply Chain – Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd.: Based in Maharashtra, India, SERUM’s “NISHWAS” project achieved the exceptional feat of producing COVID-19 vaccines at a commercial scale in just six months. Ultimately, SERUM supplied over 1.7 billion doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca’s COVISHIELD vaccine in 2021 and 2022. During the same period, SERUM manufactured and supplied over 128 million doses of Novavax’s COVOVAX/Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine, providing COVID-19 vaccines to more than 90 countries worldwide.

Social Impact – Takeda SA: Based in Lessines, Belgium, Takeda SA’s project, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Manufacturing Building, has successfully implemented a sustainable facility design aimed at optimizing energy utilization, minimizing waste generation, lowering its carbon footprint, and lessening its ecological influence. Their project showcases the integration of innovative methods, industry standards, and best practices combined with ambitious sustainability objectives.

Honorable Mention – Nexus Pharmaceuticals LLC.: Based in Pleasant Prairie, WI, Project Tomorrow showcases Nexus Pharmaceuticals' consistent focus on meeting patient needs for the long term. While establishing an impressive design and technology aligned with current industry standards, Project Tomorrow includes thoughtful plans for maintaining quality standards while facility capacity and capability expand.