Catalent, Oxfordshire – Former Vaccine Manufacturing & Innovation Centre (VMIC)

Project Overview
The project involved the shell and core construction of the UK’s first dedicated biologics development and manufacturing facility at Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire. Delivered as a pivotal addition to the national life sciences infrastructure, the 150,000 sq ft facility was designed to support advanced biologics and vaccine production. The building provides highly serviced accommodation capable of housing GMP-compliant cleanrooms, specialist processing areas and scalable manufacturing suites. Purpose-built to accommodate advanced modalities including mRNA, proteins and viral vectors, the facility forms a Centre of Excellence supporting the UK’s emergency vaccine production and long-term pharmaceutical capability.

Project Requirements
The client required the rapid delivery of a highly specialised biologics facility capable of meeting stringent cGMP and international pharmaceutical standards. Key objectives included providing flexible, scalable manufacturing space to support simultaneous production campaigns, alongside complex cleanroom environments and advanced building services. The project needed to respond to evolving national priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, including programme acceleration and integration of additional scope within an already live construction programme. Compliance with regulatory guidance and coordination with multiple stakeholders were critical success criteria.

Glencar’s Role
Glencar was appointed as principal contractor to deliver the shell and core construction of the biologics facility, with responsibilities expanding to manage specialist cleanroom construction and biomanufacturing plant installation.

Responsibilities included:
- Overall construction management and site coordination
- Shell and core delivery of the biologics facility
- Management of GMP-compliant cleanroom construction
- Coordination of specialist biomanufacturing installations
- Programme management under accelerated and evolving conditions
- Health, safety and quality management within a highly regulated environment

Scope of Works
Enabling Works / Civils & Infrastructure
- Site set-up and enabling works
- Coordination of campus infrastructure interfaces
- Preparation for specialist installations

Building / Superstructure
- Shell and core construction of 150,000 sq ft facility
- Structural systems to support highly serviced environments
- Building envelope works

Fit-Out & Building Services
- Cleanroom construction
- Highly serviced MEP installations
- Infrastructure to support scalable processing from 10L to 1000L
- Integration of specialist pharmaceutical plant

External Works & Landscaping
- Associated external works within Harwell Campus
- Service connections and access arrangements

Technical & Delivery Challenges
The project was delivered under exceptional national pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring rapid mobilisation and continual adaptation to evolving requirements. Managing the scale and complexity of GMP-compliant cleanrooms and specialist biomanufacturing plant introduced significant coordination challenges, particularly as design development continued in parallel with construction. A pandemic-driven expansion, known as the northern extension, was integrated mid-programme, increasing complexity within an already live project. Advanced BIM modelling was critical in managing change, enabling clash-free installation of intricate MEP and structural systems while maintaining compliance with MHRA and FDA guidance.

Delivery Conditions Addressed
- Highly regulated pharmaceutical environment
- GMP-compliant cleanroom construction
- Pandemic-driven programme acceleration
- Live design development alongside construction
- Integration of specialist plant and equipment
- Multi-stakeholder coordination

The Outcome
The completed Catalent facility at Harwell Campus delivers a world-class biologics development and manufacturing asset, central to the UK’s vaccine and life sciences capability. The building provides flexible, GMP-compliant infrastructure capable of supporting advanced pharmaceutical production at scale. Delivered under exceptional circumstances, the project demonstrates the successful delivery of complex, highly regulated facilities within accelerated and evolving programme conditions.