Proven expertise in high technology 

Since the 1970s, NFOE has been a major player in advanced facility layouts in the pharmaceutical industry, both in Québec and Canada. We’ve been part of a large number of design, renovation and expansion projects that have allowed our clients to increase their production capacity or modernize their operations.

Multiple facilities 

Creating a pharmaceutical product is a complex process that requires various types of facilities. It all starts with laboratory development. Preclinical and clinical lots are produced in pilot plants, then scaling is performed in view of industrial production in the manufacturing complexes. Products then go through quality control, packaging and warehousing. Specific operations with specific architectural layout requirements characterize each stage. We have the expertise needed to accommodate this complexity.

Diverse products and processes 

We’ve developed expertise in designing facilities that manufacture solid products (tablets, capsules, pouches), liquid products (syrups, dermatological products), creams and ointments, sterile topical and parenteral products, blood products and vaccines, etc.

The product manufactured determines the process used, which in turn has an effect on the space’s layout. Most research and manufacturing processes, such as fermentation, cell culture, concentration and purification, have been incorporated into our previous projects. This experience makes us a partner of choice for pharmaceutical projects.

Strict conditions 

The pharmaceutical industry has strict requirements for manufacturing conditions. Cleanliness, cross-contamination prevention and staff and product protection are our priorities.

Additional criteria may apply depending on the nature of the product. Sterile products require aseptic environments such as white rooms. Cytotoxic products, i.e., products likely to kill cells, must be placed in chemical containment, and blood, tissue and biotech products must be placed in biological containment. Our expertise allows us to design facilities that comply with these specific conditions.

A highly regulated sector 

Our team has in-depth knowledge of the Health Products and Food Branch’s (Canada) and the Food and Drug Administration’s (United States) requirements for designing pharmaceutical facilities.

Every day, we design facilities that comply with Health Canada’s manufacturing and laboratory best practices. These guidelines require enhanced monitoring and documentation of research procedures, which often has an impact on the space’s layout.