BERN/SWITZERLAND, 8 October 2020
With today’s facility opening, CSL Behring in Bern is taking great steps toward reaching the finalization of the “Protinus” expansion project. The 300 million Francs investment project is of great importance to the biopharmaceutical company, its patients, and the local economy. The new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bern is home to the production of immunoglobulins (Ig), which allow people worldwide with serious and rare diseases to live life to the fullest.
CSL Behring had a small celebration to mark the grand opening of the facility, accompanied by Member of the Federal Council Ueli Maurer, President of State Council Pierre Alain Schnegg, and Mayor Alec von Graffenried. The cornerstone was laid two years ago, and the topping out ceremony last year celebrated the completion of the rough construction and cladding. “It was a fast-track project from the very start. Unbelievable work was done at the Protinus construction site to keep to the schedule - particularly this year and after the pandemic hit”, commented Martin Schären, Sr. Vice President & General Manager in Bern, in praise of the accomplishment. The conditions were especially difficult. “It is thanks to the exemplary work brought forth by the project team, construction workers, suppliers, and our partners that we are able to celebrate the opening today.” Regulatory approval for the new Ig facility is expected in spring of 2021.
A huge investment project in Bern
To meet the high demands for our immunoglobulin products, CSL Behring is expanding its manufacturing capacities in Bern. The project with the name Protinus is being realized at the site in Wankdorf. It is a multi-story building with two manufacturing lines, and it is connected to the Logistics- and Service-Center (GBZ). The two buildings will be encased, which creates additional offices and a new façade. CSL Behring invests 300 mio. Francs in the building project and creates approximately 50 new jobs in the city of Bern. This production expansion allows 90’000 additional patients to live life to the fullest – thanks to our life-saving immunoglobulins.
Fact & Figures:
Production capacity: 2 manufacturing lines
Size of land: 5,030 m2
Excavation volume soil & rock: 24,000 m3
Building volume: 108,045 m3
Volume of concrete: 13,500 m3
Build-in concrete: 11,610 m2
Steel used: 450 t
Pipes laid: 61,318 m
Length of wires: 725,300 m
Manufacturing workplaces: 28
Office workplaces: 165
Project duration: 2017-2021
" It was a fast-track project from the very start. Unbelievable work was done at the Protinus construction site to keep to the schedule - particularly this year and after the pandemic hit. "
Martin Schaeren, Sr. Vice President & General Manager in Bern
