Asahi Kasei Medical to Acquire Bionova Scientific, U.S.-based Biopharmaceutical CDMO

Rhea-AI Summary

Asahi Kasei Medical announced on April 14, 2022, the acquisition of Bionova Scientific, LLC, specializing in biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing. This strategic move enhances Asahi Kasei's bioprocess business, allowing it to offer advanced manufacturing capabilities for next-generation antibody drugs. Bionova's GMP-compliant facility and expertise in complex biopharmaceuticals are set to meet increasing market demand. The acquisition is pending necessary regulatory approvals.

Positive

• Acquisition of Bionova Scientific strengthens Asahi Kasei Medical's bioprocess capabilities.
• Access to high-demand biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing services.
• Expansion into next-generation antibody drug manufacturing, aligning with market growth.

Negative

• None.

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Asahi Kasei Medical concluded an agreement on April 14, 2022 (JST) through a U.S. subsidiary to wholly acquire Bionova Scientific, LLC, a provider of contract process development services and GMP-compliant contract manufacturing services to biopharmaceutical companies, especially those developing next-generation antibody based drugs*.

Bionova Scientific Main Facility (Photo: Business Wire)

One of the Asahi Kasei Group’s growth engines is the bioprocess business of Asahi Kasei Medical. In addition to the manufacture and sale of Planova™ filters and bioprocess equipment, Asahi Kasei Medical has been proactively expanding this business into the field of biosafety contract testing with the acquisition in 2019 of Austrian viral safety testing services provider Virusure Forschung und Entwicklung GmbH, followed by the 2021 acquisition of U.S.-based mycoplasma testing services provider Bionique Testing Laboratories LLC.

Bionova Scientific’s process development capabilities are particularly highly regarded in the industry, and it has a rich track record regarding complex next-generation antibody drugs, which are typically challenging to manufacture. Its GMP manufacturing facility has state-of-the-art equipment including single-use bioreactors, suited to meet rising demand driven by the expansion of the antibody drug market and a steep increase in the number of biopharmaceuticals entering the clinical pipeline.

Acquiring Bionova Scientific will enable Asahi Kasei Medical to add a biopharmaceutical CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organization) to its bioprocess business. As process development and GMP manufacturing operations are key to the overall success of biopharmaceutical customers’ businesses and the launch of new drugs, being able to offer a broader range of critical know-how driven services to biopharmaceutical customers will allow Asahi Kasei Medical to grow its bioprocess business more rapidly by better serving the industry and by reaching a broader range of customers, including those at the cutting edge of next generation biopharmaceuticals.

Through its provision of innovative and exceptionally reliable products and services, Asahi Kasei Medical aims to contribute to improved safety and efficient manufacture of biotherapeutics, and to further driving the growth of the healthcare sector of the Asahi Kasei Group.

Closing of the acquisition is subject to receipt of necessary regulatory clearances.

* Next generation antibody based drugs differ from conventional antibody based drugs in their degree of complexity and sophistication of mechanism of action, and include examples such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and bispecific antibodies.

Corporate Profile of Bionova Scientific, LLC
Establishment of current operating form: 2019
Location:	Fremont, California, USA
CEO:	Darren Head
Origins:	Founded in 2014 as a contract research organization providing biopharmaceutical process development services; the current operating form was established in conjunction with an investment by Great Point Partners in 2019
Operations:	Biopharmaceutical manufacturing process development, GMP-compliant manufacturing of current and next-generation antibody drugs
Employees:	100 (as of April 13, 2022)

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220417005039/en/

For more information, please contact:

Shizuka Nawa

Corporate Communications

Asahi Kasei Corp.

Phone: +81-(0)3-6699-3008

Source: Asahi Kasei Corp.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Asahi Kasei Medical's acquisition of Bionova Scientific?

The acquisition aims to enhance Asahi Kasei Medical's bioprocess capabilities and expand its service offerings in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

When was the acquisition of Bionova Scientific announced?

The acquisition was announced on April 14, 2022.

What are the expected impacts of the Bionova Scientific acquisition on Asahi Kasei Medical?

The acquisition will allow Asahi Kasei Medical to provide advanced manufacturing services and better serve customers in the growing next-generation antibody market.

Is the acquisition of Bionova Scientific finalized?

No, the closing of the acquisition is subject to receipt of necessary regulatory clearances.

What type of services does Bionova Scientific provide?

Bionova Scientific offers contract process development and GMP-compliant manufacturing services for biopharmaceutical companies.