Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a global leader in biotechnology, previously operated across 700,000 square feet and 11 facilities throughout Cambridge, Massachusetts. As the company prepared to consolidate operations and relocate to its new 1.1‑million‑square‑foot Fan Pier campus in South Boston’s Innovation District, STV provided comprehensive planning and sequencing services for the six‑month transition. The move encompassed two interconnected buildings spanning 14 floors and housing advanced research, manufacturing and office environments.
What challenges did STV address?
Vertex needed a highly coordinated relocation that minimized disruption to ongoing research while safely transitioning GMP, GLP, vivarium and radiological laboratories. The vast footprint across multiple Cambridge buildings, combined with the complexity of biotech equipment, samples and regulated materials, required precise planning, strict chain‑of‑custody procedures and seamless communication with internal teams and external vendors.
What solutions did STV deliver?
STV developed and executed a detailed move sequencing plan that addressed purge activities, lab and office relocation, decommissioning and regulatory compliance. The team implemented a custom Access‑based inventory tool tailored to biotech equipment documentation, ensuring accurate tracking across thousands of assets. STV coordinated staggered move waves over six months, enabling Vertex to maintain research continuity while transitioning into its state‑of‑the‑art gene and cell therapy facility.
How does this project benefit Vertex?
The planned relocation consolidates operations into a unified innovation hub, enhancing collaboration, improving operational efficiency and expanding Vertex’s capacity for cutting‑edge therapeutic development.
Key Stats and Accolades
- Six‑month relocation across 14 floors
- Transition from 11 dispersed facilities
- Moves supporting GMP, GLP, vivarium and radiological labs
- Custom inventory tool for biotech equipment
- 1.1 million‑sf new campus
