GSK Aseptic Manufacturing Facility – Q Block

GSK Aseptic Manufacturing Facility – Q Block

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Project at a glance

Delivering global-ready biopharmaceutical infrastructure

SES Engineering Services was directly appointed by GSK to deliver full MEP services for Q Block—a £94m, 11,500 sqm aseptic manufacturing facility at the company’s Barnard Castle site in County Durham. This highly complex, state-of-the-art project represents a flagship investment in biopharmaceuticals and is designed to be replicated globally. 

To meet GSK’s exacting standards and ensure tight control over quality and scheduling, offsite construction and digital engineering were central to the delivery strategy. SES’ early involvement enabled the integration of BIM Level 2 and prefabrication principles from the outset, with Prism—SES’ offsite manufacturing facility—playing a key role in influencing the MEP design for this highly regulated environment. 

Technical highlights

Global replication strategy 

The modular design allows Q Block to be replicated at secondary sites worldwide, future-proofed for 10–20 years without regulatory redesign. 

BIM-driven innovation 

SES applied BIM Level 2 for clash detection, design coordination, and facilities management readiness. Augmented Reality was also trialled on site, with plans for expanded use. 

Offsite manufacturing integration 

Prism enabled prefabrication of key MEP components, reducing on-site disruption and enhancing quality control. 

Live site coordination 

All works were delivered with minimal disruption to the existing manufacturing operations, adhering to strict pharmaceutical standards. 

The investment in biopharmaceuticals is critical to the future of pharmaceuticals and this is a flagship project for global investment. The idea is to replicate the design globally on secondary sites, building in the flexibility within individual modules, but also future-proofing the design for at least 10–20 years without the risk of drug regulatory impact, hence reducing future design costs. I believe this can only be achieved using offsite technology.”  

Colin Driver

Project Manager, GSK

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