Minaris and Bionova Scientific Partner to Expand Plasmid DNA Supply for Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing
核心洞察
Minaris (搜索) and Bionova Scientific (搜索) announced a strategic partnership on September 9, 2026 to expand access to high-quality plasmid DNA (搜索) for cell and gene therapy development and manufacturing.
The collaboration pairs Bionova's Clean Genome E. coli platform with Minaris (搜索)' OXGENE sequence optimization technology, offering 13 production-ready plasmids built on SnapFast technology.
The portfolio includes nine AAV plasmids spanning Rep/Cap serotypes 1 through 8 plus adenoviral helper functions, and four lentiviral vector (搜索) plasmids covering transfer backbone, packaging, Rev, and envelope components.
Minaris (搜索), the cell and gene therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) headquartered at Philadelphia's Navy Yard, and Bionova Scientific (搜索) LLC, an Asahi Kasei (搜索) company with facilities in Fremont, California, and The Woodlands, Texas, announced on September 9, 2026 a strategic partnership to expand access to high-quality plasmid DNA (搜索) (pDNA) for cell and gene therapy development and manufacturing.
The collaboration addresses a persistent bottleneck in the field: plasmid DNA (搜索) serves as the critical starting material for manufacturing the adeno-associated virus (搜索) (AAV) and lentiviral vector (搜索) (LVV) products that underpin most cell and gene therapies, making its supply chain a common chokepoint for developers moving from research into clinical and commercial manufacturing.
A Combined Platform From Raw Material to Commercial Scale
The partnership pairs Bionova's Clean Genome® E. coli platform and pDNA manufacturing expertise with Minaris (搜索)' OXGENE® sequence optimization technology. The combined offering includes a portfolio of 13 production-ready plasmids built on SnapFast® technology, nine AAV plasmids spanning Rep/Cap serotypes 1 through 8 plus adenoviral helper functions, and four lentiviral vector (搜索) plasmids covering the gene-of-interest transfer backbone, packaging, Rev, and envelope components.
Two of those plasmids are already supporting active customer programs, and the companies expect research-use materials to be available within four weeks.
Minaris (搜索) Chief Technology and Commercial Officer Eytan Abraham framed the partnership around developer needs: "Cell and gene therapy developers need confidence that critical starting materials will be available when they need them and capable of scaling as programs advance. Through our partnership with Bionova Scientific (搜索), we will provide customers expanded access to best-in-class plasmids designed to enable higher yields and improve vector quality while helping simplify development and manufacturing."
Integrated Platform Aims to Reduce Complexity and Supply Chain Risk
Bionova Scientific (搜索) General Manager and VP of pDNA Process Development Pratima Cherukuri described the intent to deliver an integrated offering spanning early and late-stage production: "Bionova Scientific is committed to delivering premium-grade plasmid DNA (搜索) through scientifically robust process development, scalable manufacturing, and operational excellence. Together with Minaris (搜索), we are providing developers with an integrated platform that reduces complexity, supports efficient technology transfer and process scale-up, and enables a seamless transition from research-use materials through clinical and commercial GMP manufacturing."
Bionova Scientific (搜索) Chairman and President Darren Head tied the partnership directly to manufacturing risk in the sector: "The promise of cell and gene therapies can only be realized when scientific innovation is supported by dependable manufacturing. This partnership brings together complementary expertise to simplify development, reduce supply chain risk, and provide customers with a seamless path from research through commercial manufacturing. Together, we're helping innovators move promising therapies to patients faster."
Parallel Investment in GMP Cell Banking Infrastructure
The plasmid DNA (搜索) partnership follows Minaris (搜索)' separate announcement of enhancements to its dedicated GMP cell banking suites at its Philadelphia facility. The upgraded suites are designed to strengthen the site as a centralized hub for cell banking and biosafety testing, providing clients with expanded manufacturing capabilities and integrated characterization testing services to support both clinical and commercial programs.
The specialized clean rooms include multiple dedicated suites designed to support concurrent cell banking projects. The enhanced infrastructure aligns with EU GMP Annex 1 and global regulatory standards and features classified environments with ISO 5 (Grade A) critical zones within ISO 7 (Grade B) background cleanrooms. Additional improvements include modernized environmental monitoring systems, enhanced quality oversight, and established technology transfer processes designed to support program progression from development through commercial manufacturing.
"Cell banking is one of the most important steps in biologics and advanced therapy development, and our clients require a partner that delivers quality, predictability, and regulatory assurance from the outset," said Dr. Ilya Koltover, President of Minaris (搜索) Advanced Testing. "Our goal is to make cell banking simpler by bringing dedicated GMP infrastructure, integrated testing and cell line characterization, regular program updates, and expert teams with decades of experience together under one roof."
The Philadelphia facility combines GMP cell banking services with characterization and biosafety testing, including sterility, mycoplasma, viral safety, and identity testing. By centralizing these capabilities, Minaris (搜索) aims to streamline project management, improve communication, and provide clients with greater visibility into program progress through daily manufacturing updates and coordinated support.
"Operational rigor is at the core of our GMP environments," said Dr. Orla Cloak, Chief Executive Officer of Minaris (搜索). "These enhanced suites improve efficiency and predictability while maintaining the rigorous standards required for GMP production. With integrated characterization and daily visibility into program progress, we're helping clients reach key milestones on the path to regulatory-ready cell banks."
Company Profiles
Bionova Scientific (搜索), an Asahi Kasei (搜索) company, is a bespoke CDMO with expertise in complex biologics manufacturing and plasmid DNA (搜索) production for cell and gene therapy applications. With facilities in Fremont, California, and The Woodlands, Texas, Bionova supports biotherapeutic innovators from early development through commercial readiness.
Minaris (搜索) is a global cell and gene therapy CDMO and multimodal biosafety testing organization with more than 25 years of CGT development and manufacturing expertise and more than 40 years in biosafety testing. Operating as a fully U.S.-owned organization under new ownership and management, Minaris supports innovators from investigational new drug (IND) development through commercial supply through its Minaris Advanced Therapies and Minaris Advanced Testing divisions, with five global sites across three continents.