Case Studies

Maxcyte®

Project Size: Aggregate 53,000 SF (Phases 1-3)
Schedule: Aug 2022
# Of Employees: 50
Cost: Confidential
Location: Rockville, MD

On a solid foundation of more than 20 years’ experience perfecting the art of cell engineering, MaxCyte is opening exciting new possibilities in cell-based therapies with ExPERT^TM instruments, bringing together best-in-class electroporation technology with seamless scalability. The challenge: Scattered operations and a lack of facility cohesion prevented the company from fully realizing the opportunity represented by the more than 50,000 ongoing cell and gene therapy clinical trials. Operations needed to be brought together and facilities repurposed and relocated for consolidation. Facility Logix offered the specialized, cross-disciplinary expertise necessary for success.

Addressing operational and scientific needs, navigating the Rockville real estate market.

Addressing the project with dedication and diverse expertise, Facility Logix answered all of the complex requirements—the essential needs of the scientific manufacturing environment as well as critical considerations of project management and economic development. Today, MaxCyte is thriving in the heart of Rockville in a repurposed office building that allows and supports leading-edge manufacturing, research and development, warehousing, and corporate office functions in a single high-performance facility. Now, MaxCyte's Flow Electroporation® Technology has the opportunity to enable the next generation of cell-based therapies, particularly in gene editing and immune-oncology.

"The Facility Logix team really integrated with us as if they were employees of the company. They took it to heart. They treated it as if it was their own project. Being able to trust that it was managed by people who had the expertise to do it well was really important to having confidence that we were going to get to the right answer in the end."

- Ron Holtz, CFO, MaxCyte®, Inc.

Innovation Ecosystem Market Assessment for the Delaware Prosperity Partnership

Project Size: Comparative analysis across 5 key industries
Schedule: Jan 2018
# Of Employees: N/A
Cost: Confidential
Location: Wilmington, DE

In 2018, Facility Logix conducted a thorough market analysis of key industries in Delaware, including chemistry, advanced materials, biotech, medical device, and healthcare. Comparing competitiveness with neighboring states, we developed a strategic action plan to enhance Delaware's innovation ecosystem. Presenting directly to the governor, our plan outlined targeted initiatives for fostering innovation, driving economic prosperity, and establishing Delaware as an industry leader. Our assessment empowered the Delaware Prosperity Partnership with knowledge and strategies to attract investment and drive sustainable economic growth in Wilmington and the surrounding region.

CvilleBioHub Feasibility Study

Project Size: Survey and Comprehensive 4-Part Support Program
Schedule: Mar 2020 - Jul 2020
# Of Employees:
Cost: Confidential
Location: Charlottesville, VA

Our engagement in the CvilleBioHub project involved conducting a comprehensive survey to assess the space requirements for a multi-tenant life science lab facility. Based on this survey, we developed a program, capital budget, operating budget, and operational framework to support the development of the proposed facility.

To ensure accuracy and feasibility, our team conducted site visits and performed test fits to determine the optimal layout and configuration of the lab spaces. In addition, we conducted a thorough assessment of the potential for a lead tenant to capitalize on the COVID-19 pandemic demand-based PPE sterilization opportunity, adding value and revenue potential to the project.

Through our expertise and strategic approach, we were able to provide the client with a robust business plan that aligned with their vision for the CvilleBioHub. Our comprehensive analysis and recommendations laid the foundation for the successful development and implementation of the proposed multi-tenant life science lab facility in Charlottesville, Virginia.

1812 Ashland Accelerator Feasibility Study

Project Size: 30,000 SF
Schedule: Jun 2016
# Of Employees:
Cost: Confidential
Location: Baltimore, MD

In 2015, Facility Logix conducted a feasibility study for Johns Hopkins University’s Technology Ventures and FastForward, assessing the supply and demand for early-stage lab space in the Baltimore area and proposing a lab space program that addressed lab areas, size, and functions to be performed within the space, along with finishes and infrastructure requirements. Based on the study's recommendations, Johns Hopkins decided to create an accelerator for lab-based companies. In 2016, Facility Logix was engaged to assist with the accelerator's construction, bringing the plans to reality.

The FastForward space features 8,000 SF of office and meeting space and 15,000 SF of BSL-2 wet lab space that provides supplies and equipment for start-up companies. Over 150 startups have been tenants in the accelerator to date and represent fields ranging from telemedicine to cell therapies for cancer treatment. This site is also used by the Technology Ventures team to co-locate internal and external groups.

1812 Ashland Accelerator

Project Size: 30,000 SF
Schedule: Jun 2016
# Of Employees: N/A
Cost: Confidential
Location: Baltimore, MD

The challenge: Johns Hopkins University’s Technology Ventures and the University’s FastForward team sought to maximize the impact of University research by facilitating the transfer of research discovery. A feasibility study conducted by Facility Logix identified demand for early-stage lab space in the Baltimore area. FLGX’s comprehensive study addressed lab areas, size, and functions to be performed within the space, as well as finishes and infrastructure requirements. The next step: Create an accelerator/innovation hub for lab-based companies with Facility Logix engaged to assist in the construction.

Launching innovation with high-performing equipment, facility, and lab space.

The 1812 Ashland Accelerator was built to offer fully turn-key services with 8,000 square feet of office and meeting space and over $1 million in shared lab instruments in 15,000 square feet of well-equipped and -provisioned BSL2 wet lab space.

The accelerator offers purpose-built space for different kinds of startups, and to date the completed facility has helped launch multiple tenant startups seeking to bring innovation to fields ranging from telemedicine to cell therapies for cancer treatment. The accelerator has been also been a boon for the Technology Ventures team in co-locating internal and external groups.

Vita Therapeutics

Project Size: 11,000 SF
Schedule: Aug 2022
# Of Employees: 17
Cost: Confidential
Location: Baltimore, MD

Founded by industry pioneers including Dr. Doug Ethell and Robert M. Laverty, Vita Therapeutics is a cell engineering company harnessing the power of genetics to develop cellular treatment for muscular dystrophy and solid tumors. The company uses induced pluripotent stem cell technology to engineer specific cell types to replace defective cells. Moving the mission forward are top-notch facilities and equipment as well as skilled researchers and clinicians. The challenge: To expand the company’s Maryland presence. The solution: A new Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) mixed-use facility developed by Facility Logix.

Breakthrough therapies supporting Vita’s aim for global leadership.

Experienced in the creation of cGMP-compliant facilities, Facility Logix brought real-world knowledge to the project, expediting and enhancing the design process for a facility that will feature three cleanroom suites with a robust program of cGMP-supported laboratory spaces. This new facility is allowing the company to conduct early-to-mid stage clinical trials for several of its leading therapy candidates. These trials support the company’s aim to be a global leader with a robust pipeline of programs.

Vaccitech

Project Size: 16,000 SF
Schedule: Apr 2023
# Of Employees: 160
Cost: Confidential
Location: Germantown, MD

A spinout of Oxford University, Vaccitech discovers and develops immunotherapeutic products and vaccines for the treatment and prevention of infectious disease and cancer. In 2021, the company expanded with the acquisition of Avidia Technologies in Maryland. The challenge: With the acquisition and with six clinical candidates ready to advance to trials, the company needed a larger facility for a new office headquarters and R&D facility. The solution: Call on FLGX Owner’s Representation service.

A larger and more effective environment for research
Through Phase I and Phase II Owner's Representation Services, FLGX assisted Vaccitech in the successful transition to a larger 16,000-square-foot facility in Germantown, MD, to serve as the company’s new office headquarters and R&D center with a state-of-the-art wet lab. To achieve an optimum outcome, FLGX was instrumental in strategizing and implementing the timeline and capital investment for the significant and successful expansion.

"The Facility Logix team immediately brought expertise and credibility to our project. They also are experts in project management and that came across really clear right away... They do these builds all the time and they have a level of experience that most people in our industry do not."

- Nick Fullenkamp, Vice President of Corporate Development, Vaccitech

Sirnaomics

Project Size: 45,000 SF
Schedule: Oct 2022
# Of Employees: 142
Cost: $16M
Location: Germantown, MD

Sirnaomics is a clinical-stage RNA therapeutics biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing innovative drugs for treatments in cancer, fibrosis, medical aesthetics, and antivirals. The challenge: With 16 clinical trials currently underway, the company needed a new headquarters and lab that would accommodate the company’s unique operational needs for a higher-than-average chemical fume density, a small animal vivarium, and the use of disposable technology. The solution: FLGX's Owner’s Representation service to shepherd the project from capital budget to completion.

Accountability, achievement, and a celebration.
For the fit-out of Sirnaomics' and RNA Immune's new facility in Germantown, MD, FLGX worked closely with the design team and contractors, developing a comprehensive capital budget assuring accountability and measurability, as well as a project schedule. The estimated timeline of fourteen months was achieved and, on Sirnaomics’ 15th anniversary, the company held the grand opening ceremony for the facility.

On-Demand Pharmaceuticals

Project Size: 43,000 SF
Schedule: Nov 2021
# Of Employees: 155
Cost: Confidential
Location: Rockville, MD

On-Demand Pharmaceuticals (ODP) is developing a mobile, vending machine-like dispensary for front-line military, first responders, and other remote locations. ODP was founded by the founding director of the DARPA Biological Technologies Office, LTC (R) Geoff Ling, M.D., Ph.D.

ODP occupies the former Supernus Pharmaceuticals Rockville facility. Facility Logix helped the state and economic development teams recruit ODP to Maryland from Virginia. Operating on a strict DARPA schedule for the proof-of-concept deliverable, the State of Maryland, Montgomery County, and City of Rockville fast-tracked the required permits to allow phased delivery of usable cGMP spaces for compounding, including multiple fume hoods and a device fabrication shop in a former cGMP facility shell.

Arcellx

Project Size: 100,000 SF (Phased)
Schedule: Jun 2022
# Of Employees: 135
Cost: Confidential
Location: Rockville, MD

Arcellx was founded by serial entrepreneur and former Human Genome Sciences VP David Hilbert. Arcellx is developing CAR-T technologies to tackle multiple myeloma with a more efficacious and calcitrant treatment than is currently available. Early success has allowed Arcellx and Kite Pharma (Frederick, MD) to enter into a co-development partnership.

Arcellx has been a model Maryland growth company. Having started in the Germantown Innovation Center, Arcellx moved to West Watkins Mill and is now repositioning an office building in Rockville. Today, Arcellx is planning a manufacturing facility in Frederick County after evaluating sites in Maryland and California, the home of Arcellx's CEO and CSO.

“Facility Logix assisted me in staying on top of everything as we transformed an old office into a new lab that would support R&D.”

- Michael Dombeck, Chief Operating Officer, Arcellx, Inc

United Therapeutics

Project Size: 28,000 SF
Schedule: Feb 2019
# Of Employees: 200
Cost: $42M
Location: Silver Spring, MD

United Therapeutics (UT), a public biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development and commercialization of products to address patients' unmet needs. UT created the Dinutuximab-Dedicated Oncology Medical and Analytical Laboratory (DDOMAL) to expand commercial manufacturing capacity for its pediatric high-risk neuroblastoma therapy.

This project inspired a Montgomery County zoning amendment that enables life science development in high-density areas. The amendment allows the space required for equipment like HVAC and chillers—called NUBESA, or normally unoccupied building equipment support area—not to count against the square footage building occupancy limits. For DDOMAL, this allowed a 13,000 SF office density building to become a 28,000 SF lab facility. Companies like TCR2 and REGENXBIO subsequently benefitted from this zoning amendment. DDOMAL also set the stage for streamlining the site and sketch plan processes for the Biohealth Priority Campus Plan.

This facility won the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering's Facility of the Year Award (FOYA) in 2020.

"Facility Logix has a really deep understanding of the life science industry and they also understand the nuts and bolts of the design and construction process for complex facilities... It's really hard to find organizations that have both of those things, very few can marry both of those uniquely challenging worlds of design and construction and running a project, and the life science industry."

- Thomas Kaufman, Associate Vice President, United Therapeutics Corporation

Capital Digestive Care

Project Size: 22,000 SF
Schedule: Jul 2022
# Of Employees: 35
Cost: Confidential
Location: Silver Spring, MD

Capital Digestive Care (CDC) is the largest gastroenterology group in the mid-Atlantic states with more than 200,000 patients each year. CDC needed a core laboratory with new technology evaluation capabilities. It recognized the need to relocate its Bowie, MD, operations, consolidating independent operations along the DC beltway to support lab tech recruitment and expedite sample transport.

Operating like a hospital with 24/7 operations, CDC built this facility with the patient's care in mind. Facility Logix was engaged to conduct the expansion's feasibility study, then provided project management and facility management services throughout construction and operations startup. This facility expanded CDC's at-home diagnostic kit testing services and was recognized as a Roche Diagnostics Center of Excellence in gastroenterology testing.