Projects

Delivering Brazil’s first advanced pathogen research lab with CNPEM

A groundbreaking life science project that strengthens Brazil’s research capability, public health preparedness and contribution to global science.

Key information

Client Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM)

Location Brazil

Project type Real estate

Services Cost and commercial management, Procurement and supply chain, Project management

Project timeline 2023 - Ongoing

Delivering Brazil’s first advanced pathogen research lab with CNPEM

Image courtesy: CNPEM

Contact

Kamila Lima

Associate Director

Project overview

What does it take to create a world-first research facility?

In Campinas, Brazil, the Orion project is answering that question. Led by the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Orion will become Latin America’s first maximum-containment biological laboratory. Built for advanced pathogen research, it will support vital work on vaccines, treatments and diagnostics for highly infectious diseases.

What sets Orion apart is its ambition. It’ll be the only laboratory in the world directly connected to an electron accelerator, giving scientists an unprecedented way to study dangerous pathogens.

First of
its kind

Latin America’s first maximum-containment biological facility.

World-first capability

The only lab linked to an electron accelerator via three beamlines.

Scale with sophistication

30,000 sqm with BSL-2, 3 and 4 laboratories.

Strategic capability

Builds regional expertise in high-containment research and crisis response.

Project story

Bringing clarity to a highly specialised design process

The 30,000 sqm Orion complex will bring together BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 biosafety laboratories, supported by specialist imaging and microscopy systems, all engineered to operate safely at the highest levels of containment.

We’re supporting CNPEM through the design and pre-construction stages, providing project leadership, cost and commercial management and procurement expertise. The work includes managing five design phases, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and keeping communication clear across stakeholders and the community.

As the project moves into construction, we’ll continue to guide procurement. Throughout, our focus is on bringing structure and certainty to this complex life sciences project.

A critical resource for Brazil and global science

Orion is a strategic investment in Brazil’s scientific future. For the first time, researchers will be able to study high-risk pathogens within the country, strengthening the nation’s ability to respond to future health crises. The facility will also train specialists in biosafety and containment – building vital expertise across Latin America.

As the first lab of its kind globally, Orion will also service the wider scientific community – expanding capacity to understand and respond to emerging biological threats.