Marine Biomedical pioneers regional cleanroom in Broome for Pearlbone™ manufacturing
In an exciting development, Marine Biomedical has welcomed the arrival of a state-of-the-art cleanroom facility at its 32 Blackman Street location in Broome, Western Australia. The transportable cleanroom, measuring 12 metres in length, marks a groundbreaking milestone for the region, empowering the company to manufacture its innovative PearlBone™ on-site.
The installation of the cleanroom was a meticulously planned operation, and in February, the facility was carefully craned into position and securely welded to cyclone-rated in-ground footings. Its unique demountable design allowed for seamless integration with the main building, showcasing the team's commitment to cutting-edge infrastructure.
Lift 'N' Rig, the skilled team behind the manoeuvre, successfully positioned the cleanroom with astonishing precision, achieving a mere 4mm gap from an adjoining wall. The seamless installation was beautifully captured through time-lapse videography, immortalising this significant moment for Marine Biomedical.
From March to May, extensive work was undertaken to connect the cleanroom to the main building and to complete the interior laboratory fit-out. The facility is now fully operational, powered, and supported by an emergency power back-up generator, ensuring continuous functionality in all scenarios.
Stringent pre-qualification tests have been conducted to validate the cleanroom's performance. These tests assessed temperature and humidity control, as well as the integrity of its advanced HEPA filter system. Designed to maintain a stable internal temperature of 20.5°C and a relative humidity of 52%, the cleanroom employs booster fans and heater banks to ensure optimum air quality both at rest and during operation.
Marine Biomedical's commitment to precision extends beyond the facility itself. Within the cleanroom, an efficient air exchange system continually circulates filtered and exceptionally clean air, even incorporating meticulously filtered outside air through three stages of pre-filtration.
Having achieved operational status since mid-June, the cleanroom is now set to embark on manufacturing test programs. The upcoming months will witness rigorous Operation and Performance Qualification procedures, paving the way for full-scale batch production over the next three months.
The introduction of this advanced cleanroom facility in Broome not only elevates regional research and innovation capabilities but also positions Marine Biomedical as a trailblazer in the marine-derived biomedical applications sector. As the company moves closer to its vision of harnessing the regenerative potential of marine resources, it takes pride in strengthening the research and education landscape in the Kimberley region.
Cleanroom installation timelapse
Patrick Moase, Maddy Compston, Dr Rui (Chris) Ruan, Dr Behzad Shiroud Heidari after exiting the cleanroom from their first PearlBone™ test manufacture.