Projects

Pharmaceutical Case Studies

Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Research Center
East Hanover, New Jersey

Torcon was construction manager for Novartis Pharmaceutical’s $180 million research center in East Hanover, New Jersey.

The four-building complex was constructed on an accelerated fast-track schedule to accommodate the company's sale of its Summit, New Jersey, campus and the consolidation of their research operations. The new lab facility was designed to house research staff moving from the Life Science Building, also built by Torcon for Novartis at their Summit site. Phased occupancy of the new lab facility was originally scheduled to occur just 24 months after design start, but was completed two months ahead of schedule.

The Research Center is comprised of four interconnected wings:
Chemistry Building–150,000 sqaure feet housing research in the following areas: oncology; metabolic and cardiovascular disease; and arthritis, and bone metabolism. Additional areas are provided for core technologies, functional genomics, research information management and research operations.

Biology Building–150,000 square feet housing research in the following areas: oncology; metabolic and cardiovascular disease; and arthritis and bone metabolism.

Lab Building–125,000 square feet with in-vivo labs, in-vitro labs, an oncology barrier facility and support services.

Ancillary Building–Featuring such amenities as a high-tech auditorium for 350 people to host conferences, seminars and large meetings. Complete audio/visual features and remote transmission capabilities will be provided. The ancillary building also houses a cafeteria and research library.

The buildings also house a wide range of equipment to support Novartis’ research efforts, such as NMRs, MRIs and sterilizers/autoclaves. A full-height atrium that lets in natural light is situated between the biology and chemistry wings. The buildings are four stories high and total approximately 523,000 square feet of space.