Lab equipment management plays a vital role in the design and function of any modern laboratory. This image showcases a high-tech lab environment with a microscope and test tubes, highlighting the need for careful planning and placement of equipment for optimal workflow and accurate research results. Learn how Genesis AEC can assist with lab equipment management for your next project.

In The News

Managing Lab Equipment Needs throughout Your Lab Design

By Greg Lundell, Director of Asset Management, Genesis AEC

Pharmaceuticals have always been complex products commercialized after years of research and clinical trials.  Launching a new drug requires identifying the root cause of a health problem, determine a strategy to counteract that problem, and execute a research and development strategy.  And if a pharma company is lucky, the clinical trials show the drug is safe and effective, and they can successfully scale it up to manufacturing scale and supply it reliably to the public.

Lab Equipment Management

That simplistic overview takes levels of development that all starts with infrastructure.  The modern pharmaceutical research and development space, production facility, or quality testing laboratory is built by incorporating planning, architectural and engineering design, construction management, and execution, and lab equipment installation, startup, and management.

To successfully startup the equipment needed to facilitate cutting edge research into the production of biopharmaceutical products at the end of construction, the equipment needs to be defined by the scientists who will use it before anyone ever breaks ground. To properly design and engineer the facility, designers must define all architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing requirements. Understanding the overall needs early in the planning phase is critical to successful construction execution. Therefore, it is also critical to the eventual installation and startup of that equipment.

Planning

The process starts at concept.  A new facility is under construction, or a current lab needs remodeling. The researchers are excited about their new home but need direction to navigate budgetary constraints, help to pick the proper equipment and accessories for their needs, and someone to make sure this is translated to the proper quotes, purchases, and installation activities.  This is where a focused group can help complex projects stay on course.  The lab equipment management team helps translate the scientific needs of the final laboratory customer, the scientist, into the architectural and engineering requirements of the laboratory design team.   

For example, a researcher may need a microscope.  Seemingly simple enough, it takes up some level of physical space, needs to plug into a wall for a light source, aka have electrical requirements, and that’s pretty much it, right?  Some microscopes, however, are highly sophisticated. They may require more physical space, heating and cooling, and a computer control and data capture capabilities. If the unit’s use is to generate data to support a company’s FDA submission, it must meet IT requirements. Quickly, the simple gains complexity that all requires thorough planning.

Installation

Once the equipment has been selected, and lab planning has been completed, i.e., there is a defined physical space and utilities on the plan for each piece, the team can help with management of the installation aspects of the project.  During construction activities, there are sometimes questions of utility placement. How high should this gas line be, should it be on the right or left of the instrument, how long is the cord? Ensuring there is an available resource who is knowledgeable about the equipment on hand is critical to this stage.

Procurement is up next. Here, the planning and management of lead times vs. early delivery needs or lack of on-site storage are all considered.  Some projects require early delivery of instrumentation that utilizes a computer in order for groups to validate the software and IT connectivity.  Other projects need to rely on just in time (JIT) delivery. This is due to the lack of storage space on site and concerns over moving sensitive equipment around a construction area.

As installation activities progress, there is the need to manage the vendor access to the construction site and the paperwork they generate. For a facility performing GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) work, this includes specific Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) activities aimed at ensuring there is proof positive that the equipment has been installed properly and operates correctly. All parties must perform and approve this process before anyone can use the equipment and the laboratory for work

Startup

By connecting all of the various stages of the development of a new laboratory, manufacturing, or quality testing facility, a firm can ensure they are handing off a fully operational project upon turnover.  Committed to delivering facilities for life-saving therapies, Genesis AEC has identified the need to manage the laboratory equipment needs of our clients proactively. We have the technical staff on board to provide support throughout the project lifecycle, thereby guaranteeing project success.

Originally published by Network Magazine.

Glossary:

  • Biopharmaceutical products: Medical drugs produced using biotechnology, including proteins, nucleic acids, and living cells used in therapy.
  • Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP): A system ensuring consistent production and control of products according to quality standards.
  • Just in time (JIT): Inventory management method where materials arrive just when needed, reducing waste and increasing efficiency.

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