Global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations (CDMOs) BioCina and NovaCina have announced a strategic merger to create a new biopharmaceutical and small molecule contract manufacturing brand.
The combined company will retain the BioCina name. It will be fully integrated and provide an end-to-end offering, from cell line and process development to clinical and commercial drug substance and sterile fill-finish of drug products.
The companies said the merged entity is positioned to meet the growing global demand for high-quality, integrated manufacturing solutions for clients.
The merger integrates BioCina's expertise in process development and manufacturing for the microbial, plasmid DNA, and mRNA modalities at the Adelaide facility with NovaCina's Perth facility. This state-of-the-art sterile fill-finish plant has produced more than 600 biological and small molecule products.
Clients are serviced by highly experienced technical experts with an average tenure of more than 10 years.
BioCina has secured approvals from US, European, Australian and Canadian regulators.
Mark Womack, who has led BioCina's growth and development over the last two years, will continue as CEO. He previously served as CEO of both KBI Biopharma and Stelis Biopharma and as chief business officer of AGC Biologics.
"The cohesion of these two companies is quite ideal, and we have immense confidence in what they will achieve together, especially with Mark at the helm. The industry is rapidly transforming and becoming increasingly more complex. New drug developers along with experienced biopharma companies are looking for a trusted CDMO partner that will work hand-in-hand to drive their products to market with efficiency and streamlined regulatory approval. Each of these firms, in their own right, are superb. Together, they will boost the industry’s capabilities and standards, and provide an unparalleled offering," said Masood Tayebi, co-founder and CEO of the Bridgewest Group, the parent company of both firms.
"I am thrilled to lead this dynamic new organisation. This merger solidifies our position in the industry as the most reliable and client-centric end-to-end CDMO for the global biopharmaceutical and small molecule industry,” added Mr Womack.