INTERPHEX 2025: Use of Walk-In Chambers for Bio/Pharma Development and Manufacturing

Walk-in chambers are critical infrastructure in pharmaceutical facilities, primarily used for product storage under highly controlled environmental conditions, such as temperature and/or humidity, says Christopher Murphy, director, Global Business Development and Service Customer Support, Environmental Specialties. Murphy sat down with the PharmTech Group at INTERPHEX 2025 to discuss the role walk-in chambers play in bio/pharmaceutical development and manufacturing as well as sustainability.

Given the stringent requirements of pharmaceutical products, these chambers are often large-scale, resembling warehouses. However, their energy-intensive nature poses sustainability challenges.

“Proper design of a walk-in chamber can contribute to sustainable practices. It is no secret that a walk-in room, because of the exacting conditions it has to create, can be an energy hog. It can be a drain on utilities. But if properly designed, and if the manufacturer asks the correct questions about the use of the space, then it can be engineered in a way that minimizes that impact and runs at optimum performance,” Murphy says.

As Murphy explains, proper engineering and design can mitigate energy consumption, optimize performance, and extend the chamber’s operational lifespan, thereby reducing maintenance costs and environmental impact. He also points out that thoughtful construction minimizes the need for frequent replacements and spare parts, promoting long-term sustainability.

Meanwhile, Murphy remarks that the current market dynamics and economic conditions influence investment in such technologies, raising questions about whether the observed market fluctuations are temporary or indicative of long-term trends. At INTERPHEX 2025, he is keen to explore strategic partnerships with emerging companies because such partnerships can facilitate knowledge exchange and help stakeholders align technological capabilities with market needs. Murphy emphasizes that the industry must balance precision storage requirements with sustainability and economic considerations to ensure long-term operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Click above to view the full interview.

Attendees can visit Environmental Specialties at Booth #2864 at INTERPHEX 2025, which runs April 1–3 in New York City.

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About the speaker

Christopher Murphy, Director, Global Business Development & Service Customer Support, Environmental Specialties

Christopher Murphy currently serves Environmental Specialties as director of global business development and service customer support. For the past 12 years, he has been vice-president or president of companies serving regulated markets. He has a proven track record of driving double-digit annual sales growth. In his previous role, he joined a company that had been flat for the decade prior to his arrival and was able to generate a 23% compound annual growth rate over his four-and-a-half-year tenure, doubling the company’s revenue. Prior to that, he achieved title of president while leading growth from $2 million to $50 million in annual sales. Murphy has been responsible for the launch of numerous innovative products, including being a co-author of a patent for a predictive maintenance technology related to components within medical diagnostic Instruments in his most recent role. Murphy has extensive experience in global business, having managed teams in China, led distributors and agents across Asia and Europe, and performing business development efforts, including mergers and acquisitions, globally.