Bionova Scientific, a full-service biologics contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) and subsidiary of Asahi Kasei, has inaugurated a 10,000-square-foot plasmid DNA (pDNA) development and production facility in The Woodlands, Texas. Located less than 30 miles north of Houston, the site will focus on designing, developing, and producing research-grade pDNA materials to support the growing cell and gene therapy (CGT) sector. The company plans to begin offering clinical to commercial-scale Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) pDNA production from the facility by the fourth quarter of 2025.

Bionova Scientific noted that pDNA is a critical starting material for advanced therapeutics, including mRNA- and viral vector-based CGTs. The addition of pDNA capabilities expands the company’s service portfolio beyond its established antibody and protein CDMO offerings delivered from its flagship facility in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Darren Head, President and Chair of Bionova, said the move addresses a persistent gap in supply for the CGT industry. “Completing this specialised facility on schedule is not only a milestone for our team, but a crucial step in ensuring our customers receive the reliable, timely support they need to meet their own deadlines,” he said. He added that The Woodlands was selected for its proximity to a growing cluster of CGT companies, providing strategic access to the expanding US CGT ecosystem.

The new facility will enable Bionova Scientific to broaden its portfolio of biotherapeutic modalities and serve a larger base of CGT customers. The company highlighted that the global pharmaceutical market is projected to approach USD 3 trillion by 2033, creating significant opportunities for scaled capacity in advanced therapies.

As part of Asahi Kasei’s Life Science group, Bionova Scientific is expanding in line with its parent company’s medium-term management plan, which prioritises growth in virus filtration, contract research organisation (CRO) testing, and CDMO services. The company said its continued investment in specialised capabilities will strengthen its role in delivering manufacturing solutions for next-generation therapies.