SNC-Lavalin wins construction bid for new hemosol facility

Contract valued at $50 million (Canadian)

SNC-Lavalin (Montreal) has been awarded an EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) contract from Hemosol, a Canadian biopharmaceutical company, for the design and construction of a new facility in Mississauga, Ontario.

The plant, which includes a manufacturing area of about 45,000 square feet that will meet international specifications for pharmaceutical production, is expected to be operational by early 2002 with validation and licensing to follow later in the year. The contract awarded to SNC-Lavalin's Pellemon division is valued at approximately $50 million (Canadian).

Earlier this year, Pellemon was awarded the contract for the overall validation of the projected facility, an essential element of compliance for the Canadian Therapeutic Products Program, American Food and Drug Administration, and European authorities.

Hemosol will use its new installations to produce Hemolink, a highly purified human-derived hemoglobin replacement product. In addition to a longer shelf life than donor blood—a full year compared to only 42 days for human hemoglobin—Hemolink provides greater safety from viral and bacterial contamination, universal compatibility with all blood types, efficient oxygen delivery to tissues, and reduced risks of allergic or immune reactions.

For more information, contact Donna Yoshimatsu of SNC-Lavalin at 416-255-4055.

Edited by Angelo DePalma
Managing Editor, Pharmaceutical Online and Drug Discovery Online
Email: adepalma@vertical.net