BioCina, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in process development and cGMP manufacturing of microbial-based therapeutics and mRNA vaccines announced the full and final transition from Hospira Adelaide Pty. Ltd., an affiliate of Pfizer Inc., of its biologics manufacturing facility, colleagues and operations in Adelaide, Australia. This completes BioCina’s August 2020 acquisition of the facility.
 
Added capabilities for BioCina now include manufacturing of cGMP-grade plasmid DNA, which is produced using microbial fermentation. Plasmid DNA is both an attractive new therapeutic modality and a critical input material for the manufacture of modern gene therapies including mRNA vaccines, CAR-T cell therapies and viral gene replacement therapies.
 
To meet the unprecedented need for mRNA manufacturing capability and capacity now and into the future, BioCina’s founder Masood Tayebi and CEO, Ian Wisenberg, will expand current capabilities and services to include the end-to-end manufacture of mRNA vaccines.
 
“Our vision is to be a trusted CDMO partner to the biopharma industry that helps save the lives of patients worldwide,” said Wisenberg. “We are now in full flight with unfettered ability to provide superior development and manufacturing services. With the current global pandemic, we have seen the need to develop fast, innovative life-saving medicines with world class science and superior quality to our partnered clients. This is at the core of the BioCina team’s capability, experience and passion.
 
“BioCina has a strategic focus and significant investment in mRNA process development and manufacturing for vaccines and therapeutics to support solutions using this mRNA platform for our clients.”
 
Minister for Trade and Investment Stephen Patterson welcomed the news that BioCina will expand its site in Adelaide to include the end-to-end manufacture of mRNA vaccines.
 
“The State Government is committed to putting the health and medical industries sector at the forefront of South Australia’s economic growth, as one of our nine key sectors,” said Minister Patterson. “Our sector plan looks forward to 2030 with a target to more than double the HMI economic contribution to South Australia, increasing its value from $2.3 billion to $5 billion.
 
“As Australia’s leading CDMO focused on delivering critical mRNA manufacturing capabilities, we are delighted to welcome BioCina formally to Adelaide as a flagship of the national mRNA landscape.”