Asahi Kasei enters CDMO biz with Bionova buy

Through the acquisition of Bionova Scientific, the US arm of Asahi Kasei Medical will add a full-service biologics CDMO to its arsenal.

US-based Bionova, which fully transitioned into a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) in November 2021 with the opening of its $25 million Fremont, California facility says the acquisition adds a “strategic complementary addition” to Asahi Kasei’s bioprocess consumables, equipment, and biosafety testing services business.

“We are extremely excited to become a part of Asahi Kasei. This represents an important step in our evolution as a company and provides access to new resources that will enable us to continue to add to our capacity and capabilities,” said Darren Head CEO at Bionova Scientific.

Image: Stock Photo Secrets

He continued: “Asahi Kasei shares our commitment to helping patients by helping our industry partners succeed, and now we are better positioned than ever to support our clients’ current and long-term needs.”

Alongside adding a full-service biologics CDMO, Asahi Kasei will gain over 100 employees based in the San Francisco Bay biotech cluster, as well as Bionova’s 11,000 square-foot manufacturing plant located within its 57,000 square-foot headquarters.

Additionally, the headquarters houses analytical laboratories and process development space and the CDMO’s facilities also include a second 22,000 square-foot plant.

“After an in-depth evaluation of Bionova and other biologics CDMOs, we are extremely impressed with Bionova’s scientific strength, their best-in-class facility and their passionate team that is both highly technically capable and extremely attentive to customer needs. They are the ideal organization to serve as the foundation for our entry into the biopharmaceutical CDMO services business,” Ken Shinomiya, director Asahi Kasei Medical and head of the bioprocess business said.

Bionova claims that Asahi Kasei Medical’s bioprocess business is renowned for its Planova virus removal filters, MOTIV inline buffer formulation systems, ViruSure viral safety testing services and Bionique mycoplasma safety testing services.

The completion of the acquisition is subject to receipt of necessary regulatory clearances.