A lab that will be important to preparedness should another pandemic hit the United States is being planned in Sorrento Valley.
The lab will span 64,000 square feet and will cost $130 million to build. The lab will specialize in making the components and ingredients for mRNA vaccines, that include ones for cancer, the flu, and even rare diseases. News about such new facilities is often spread throughout a community with flyer printing and other printing services.
Kevin Lynch, Vice President and General Manager of Operations of Maravai/TriLink BioTechnologies which is developing the lab, said that the lab is fully automated and in just a few days ramp up production. The lab has its own reverse-osmosis water filtration system so that a key ingredient for mRNA vaccines is always ready. In addition, it has a generator so that it can remain running 24 hours a day.
The building will have four labs which are designed to be efficient. Lynch said the labs can produce two kilograms of mRNA every couple of weeks if needed, which translates into millions of vaccines a week.
Officials from TriLink said that it was an easy decision to select Sorrento Valley for the new facility. TriLink has two other locations in the area and its proximity to the University of California San Diego offers access to a well-educated and highly trained workforce.
