Asahi Kasei Medical Buys Bionova Scientific

Asahi Kasei Medical, through a US subsidiary, has agreed to buy biologics CDMO Bionova Scientific for an undisclosed sum. Located in Fremont, California, Bionova provides process development services to biopharmaceutical companies, especially those developing next-generation antibody-based drugs.

The acquisition, said Bionova, represents a strategic complementary addition to Asahi Kasei Medical’s bioprocess business, which is renowned for Planova virus removal filters, Motiv inline buffer formulation systems, ViruSure viral safety testing services and Bionique mycoplasma safety testing services.

“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,” said Ken Shinomiya, director, Asahi Kasei Medical and head of the bioprocess business.

For Bionova’s CEO Darren Head, the deal is 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.”

Bionova brings a staff of more than 100 employees located in the heart of the San Francisco Bay biotech cluster, where the firm operates a GMP biologics manufacturing facility within its headquarters, which also houses process development and analytical laboratories.

In June 2019, US private equity company Great Point Partners announced a $22 million investment in Bionova, allowing the CDMO to finish building its Fremont GMP facility.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist

© 2022 Bionova Scientific, Inc.
© 2022 Bionova Scientific, Inc.

Company

Logo:

Asahi Kasei Europe

Fringsstraße 17
40221 Düsseldorf
Germany

Company contact







Virtual Event

Digitalization in the Chemical Industry
CHEManager Spotlight

Digitalization in the Chemical Industry

Save the Date: October 22, 2025
The event will be promoted to a combined audience of over 100,000 professionals across Europe through the CHEManager and CITplus networks.

Whitepaper

Excellence in Pharmaceutical Distribution and The Critical Role of Good Distribution Practice (GDP)
Setting the Standard

Excellence in Pharmaceutical Distribution and The Critical Role of Good Distribution Practice (GDP)

Are you ready to elevate your pharmaceutical operations? Download our exclusive whitepaper and discover how compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) is essential for the safety and integrity of pharmaceuticals.

most read

Photo
19.03.2025 • News

Arkema Launches Acrylic Acid Purification Project

Arkema has announced the launch of its Carat Project at its Carling site in France. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities and sustainability of the facility, which specializes in producing acrylic monomers and superabsorbent polymers.

Photo
13.03.2025 • News

Roche and Zealand Pharma Collaborate on Weight Management Drug

Swiss pharma heavyweight Roche announced has entered into an exclusive collaboration and licensing agreement with Denmark’s Zealand Pharma. Under the terms of this agreement, the two companies will collaborate to co-develop and co-commercialize petrelintide, Zealand Pharma’s amylin analog as a standalone therapy as well as a fixed-dose combination with Roche’s lead incretin asset CT-388.