France: the bioMérieux bioindustrial and R&D site of La Balme is diversifying
Two strategic infrastructures were inaugurated this year on the bioMérieux site of La Balme-les-Grottes (Isère, France): a plastic injection unit in June and a new-generation R&D building in September. The global specialist in in vitro diagnostics is continuing its investments in France, aiming to develop new solutions for public health worldwide.
LaBNext is the name of the new research and development building inaugurated on September 2, in the presence of Alain Mérieux, Chairman of Institut Mérieux, and Alexandre Mérieux, Chairman of the Board of Directors of bioMérieux. This 2,000-m2 facility specializing in microbiology is equipped with advanced technologies in the phenotypic (culture media imaging and ETEST®), proteomics (MALDI TOF and high-resolution mass spectrometry) and genomics (sequencing) fields.
This secure, digitized building houses several cutting-edge laboratories, including biosafety microbiology laboratories and a laboratory dedicated to fungal agents, a strain collection of some 60,000 microbial strains (bacteria and fungal agents), as well as an independent analytical chemistry laboratory. Within the facility, bioMérieux researchers develop new diagnostic solutions to help fight infectious diseases, such as bacterial identification solutions (VITEK® MS) as well as Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) reagents for bacterial and fungal infections.
The design of LaBNext promotes well-being at work and stimulates teams’ pioneering spirit. Workflows have been completely revised, now featuring optimized modular spaces. Around 80 people work in this R&D center.
A plastic injection unit on a bioMérieux site: a first!
Already specialized in the manufacturing of reagents for microbiology solutions, the bioMérieux site in La Balme-les-Grottes is diversifying its bioindustrial activities by also hosting a plastic injection unit. The 3,000-m2 building, named Plasteam, was inaugurated on June 11, in the presence of Pierre Boulud, CEO.
The unit produces the plastic SPRs and strips used to manufacture VIDAS® immunoassay kits. The La Balme-les-Grottes site should produce around 6 million units in its first year of operation, to supply another production site in the region in Marcy-l'Etoile and to meet our growth objectives. This is a first for bioMérieux: through this Plasteam project, it is internalizing the production of strategic components and securing the supply of VIDAS® plastic components, a strategic historical range of products.
The Plasteam building helps to reduce the carbon footprint of the entire La Balme-les-Grottes site. The building was constructed in low-carbon concrete and features a fatal heat recovery system (residual heat from the manufacturing process) which generates a 60% reduction in fuel consumption. More generally, the bioMérieux site in La Balme-les-Grottes aims to be fully decarbonized by 2028.
€25 million of investment
“The bioMérieux site in La Balme-les-Grottes is experiencing strong dynamics, demonstrating its ability to evolve technologically and integrate new industrial activities. The expertise and commitment of team members are key to success in this ambitious journey for the site.” explains Guillaume Maestri, Site Director.
bioMérieux has spent around €25 million in total on the construction of LabNext and Plasteam. This is a long-term investment, on a French site that employs nearly 500 people, to support the company's business growth and improve public health in France and around the world.
Inauguration of LaBNext in September.
Inauguration of Plasteam in June.
