BIA Separations, developer and manufacturer of convective interaction media (CIM) monolithic chromatographic columns and process development services, has formed a partnership with Labena, a provider of solutions for process and laboratory analytics in Southeastern Europe.

“BIA Separations’ main focus has always been products for the manufacture of biological drugs, viral vectors and vaccines,” said Ales Strancar, chief executive officer, BIA Separations. “The gene therapy market started to grow exponentially within the last year and the demand for our services greatly increased, so we have decided to put all our efforts here.

“This has driven our decision to enter into a partnership with Labena, which will begin to distribute BIA Separations’ products in the area of Southeastern Europe,” added Strancar. “In addition, the CRO laboratory, which offers services for pharmaceutical companies providing generic drugs and smaller molecules, will continue its activities within the Labena group of companies. This will allow the CRO laboratory to expand its customer portfolio and improve service and support to their customers.”

“We are very pleased that we have managed to come up with a mutual agreement with BIA Separations about the takeover of the CRO laboratory of BIA Separation which is one of the most recognized and renowned in the region,” said Borut Ceh, chief executive officer, Labena. “Adding a CRO laboratory with GMP certificate and FDA audit report to Labena Group will have many beneficial effects for our business model and the services provided by the CRO Laboratory in Southeast Europe. We see this also as opportunity to expand our business outside our region to other countries of EU zone. Our plan is to invest into further development of activities and services of the CRO laboratory not only in equipment and manpower, but more importantly in expanding services to suitability studies and genetic research for the pharmaceutical industry.”