Global private investment firm, Bridgewest Group, recognized for developing innovative companies in life sciences, software, and deep tech, is expanding its portfolio. The firm has signed an agreement to purchase the sterile injectable manufacturing facility of Pfizer (Perth) Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Pfizer, Inc.

The cGMP manufacturing facility, located in Bentley, a Perth suburb in Western Australia, is a diverse sterile injectable manufacturing facility, approved to supply drug products in over 90 countries globally with approvals secured by regulatory bodies including the FDA, TGA, EU and others. The facility has extensive blow fill seal (BFS) capabilities for producing sterile injectable essential drug products as well as significant capabilities to produce specialty oncology drug products for global distribution. In addition to the operations and facility, Bridgewest Group will also be acquiring a suite of drug products from Pfizer which it will look to aggressively market and expand globally.

In 2020, Bridgewest Group successfully acquired Hospira Adelaide Pty Ltd, a microbial drug substance manufacturer in Adelaide, which it now operates under the name BioCina. BioCina has been operating as a contract development manufacturing organization (CDMO) and has had success since taking over from Pfizer, growing its employee base in Adelaide by 30% and adding numerous customers from around the world. Since Bridgewest Group’s acquisition, BioCina has upgraded the Adelaide site to include pDNA and mRNA manufacturing capabilities.

The Perth operation will be a separate and distinct business from BioCina. “We are confident that the experience and expertise garnered with BioCina will translate to a smooth transition followed by substantial growth, as well as further cement Bridgewest Group’s commitment to pharma manufacturing in Australia,” said Masood Tayebi, co-founder and CEO of Bridgewest Group.    

Adam Gickling, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Bridgewest Group, said, “We are on a great trajectory to complete the sale with Pfizer. We have very good people working diligently to complete the transaction and to transition the facility, processes, and high caliber staff to Bridgewest Group. We anticipate the sale to close in the next several months and will work diligently to that end. Post-sale, the facility will continue to supply products to Pfizer under a manufacturing and supply agreement.”

Bridgewest Group has an accomplished performance history throughout its private equity portfolio, spanning multiple verticals. In 2005, it expanded its expertise into the life sciences arena with the founding of BioDuro-Sundia, which has grown to become the world’s third largest contract research and development manufacturing organization (CRDMO). Bridgewest Group continues to aggressively invest in several areas including drug discovery/development, cell/gene therapy, medical devices, and others. In addition to BioDuro-Sundia and BioCina, BioAtla, BioOra, Bio4t2, Precision Chroma, Nanophage Technologies, BioViros, and Avasa highlight its current life sciences portfolio.