Bionova’s 2,000 L scale facility in Fremont, California marks a full transition to a CDMO for the bioservices firm.

Dan Stanton, Managing editor

November 4, 2021

1 Min Read
Bionova opens $25m single-use plant in Fremont

Bionova’s 2,000 L scale facility in Fremont, California marks a full transition to a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for the bioservices firm.

In July 2020, Bionova broke ground on the $25 million Fremont facility with an aim to expand its protein, cell line, and process development services into the clinical and commercial manufacturing space.

Fifteen months on and the company has officially opened the plant with the first clinical supply run expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Bionova-Building-300x203.jpg

The plant is equipped with a 1,000 L Cytiva XDR upstream train and a 2,000 L Cytiva system will be added in Q3/2022 with a second 2,000 L system to follow as client demand dictates.

“At this stage for Bionova, it’s difficult to characterize global demand as being the main driver of interest in our new manufacturing capacity. Instead, we are seeing high interest from existing clients who have developed a high level of trust in our team and capabilities,” Bionova’s CEO Darren Head told BioProcess Insider.

“That, in turn, is creating confidence among other clients who have expressed interest in our production capabilities.”

While Head was unable to quote specific bookings, he said  the first part of 2022 is “well-booked” and Bionova is “actively engaged in discussions for additional programs in 2022 and beyond.

“We still have room for more clinical runs in 2022 and encourage those who need capacity to contact us.”

About the Author(s)

Dan Stanton

Managing editor

Journalist covering the international biopharmaceutical manufacturing and processing industries.


Founder and editor of Bioprocess Insider, a daily news offshoot of publication Bioprocess International, with expertise in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, in particular, the following niches: CROs, CDMOs, M&A, IPOs, biotech, bioprocessing methods and equipment, drug delivery, regulatory affairs and business development.


From London, UK originally but currently based in Montpellier, France through a round-a-bout adventure that has seen me live and work in Leeds (UK), London, New Zealand, and China.

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