The new Bio Pharma Hub is currently being built at Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. The Bio Pharma Hub is located in the northern part of the Masaryk University campus in Brno-Bohunice and will provide infrastructure for pharmaceutical, medical and scientific disciplines. The hub will house the Faculty of Pharmacy, a preclinical centre including a large animal hospital and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. The NiroSan® piping system will be used for the drinking water supply, while the NiroTherm® series has been installed for the heating systems.

‘The MUNI BioPharma Hub will offer a unique combination of modern classrooms for the Faculty of Pharmacy and first-class research facilities at the Preclinical Centre and the Centre for Molecular Medicine,’ said Marta Valešová, bursar of Masaryk University.

Focus on sustainability

The entire planning of the construction project, which meets all aspects of sustainability in particular, is being carried out by the architectural firm Pelčák a partner architekti. "In construction, we focus on green technologies and respect sustainability. Our goal is to use renewable energies as much as possible and to enable economical use of water and waste avoidance in later operation right from the planning stage.

From a structural point of view, the main building is designed as a compact monolithic unit made of reinforced concrete without expansion joints. The building has three basement floors and five upper floors, making it a large complex that meets the requirements of research and development in the relevant areas. The unique educational and research infrastructure will cover an area of 15,190 square metres. The ceremonial laying of the foundation stone is planned for January 2024, which also marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of Masaryk University.

New building offers opportunities

‘The shortage of medicines on the Czech market is a major problem. That is why the entire MUNI BioPharma Hub project, which accompanies the return of the Faculty of Pharmacy to Masaryk University, is of great importance. It will significantly strengthen research that is crucial for the Czech Republic,’ said Martin Bareš, Rector of Masaryk University.

The MUNI BioPharma Hub project will also help to provide a sufficient number of qualified specialists. ‘Our students will learn about processes in the pharmaceutical industry and work in clean rooms and traditional laboratories, thus ensuring they are optimally prepared for practical work in the medical and pharmaceutical industries,’ explained David Vetchý, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy. The Faculty of Pharmacy is scheduled to move into the new premises of the MUNI BioPharma Hub in 2026, symbolically completing its integration into Masaryk University.

The entire project is designed to become an organic part of the Bohunice university campus and form a functional unit with the university's educational and research infrastructure, the Bohunice University Hospital and other existing or future specialist departments. In the medium term, a science and technology park is also to be connected.

High-quality piping systems for cutting-edge research: practical and safe

For the drinking water installation, the client opted for the NiroSan® piping system – a total of well over 7,000 m of pipes alone, plus corresponding fittings up to a size of 108 mm. The system is characterised on the one hand by its excellent material properties, which allow maximum hygiene. The 1.4404 material, with a molybdenum content of at least 2.3% and a particularly low carbon content, also ensures a long-lasting and particularly corrosion-resistant installation.

The heating system was installed using the NiroTherm® series, also up to 108 mm. The pipe system, which was introduced by SANHA® back in 2009, offers the advantage that no time-consuming protective coating against external corrosion is required, as is the case with carbon steel; longer drying times are also eliminated. This often significantly reduces the amount of work involved and allows installation work to be completed more quickly. NiroTherm® also offers noticeable advantages over copper fittings, as the material costs are generally lower. With a total length of over 9 km, the scope of the installation even exceeds that of the drinking water sector.

Another advantage is that both piping systems feature combipress®. This unique feature means that the fittings can be pressed with all common original contours up to and including 54 mm (SA, M and V) – eliminating the need for costly new tools. In addition, the systems are ‘unpressed untight’, so that any forgotten press connections are quickly detected during pressure testing. The Bio Pharma Hub in Brno is thus relying on state-of-the-art technology and the highest standards in this important area of installation technology.