Bionova Scientific’s New pDNA Texas Facility Expected to Boost Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing Capacity

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Bionova Scientific (Bionova), a biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) and a subsidiary of Asahi Kasei, announced on Aug. 12, 2025, that it has opened a new 10,000-square-foot development and production facility for plasmid DNA (pDNA) in The Woodlands, Texas. The launch of this new facility marks a strategic expansion for the pharmaceutical industry, strengthening the US supply chain for advanced therapeutics. The site will design, develop, and produce research-grade pDNA materials to support the growing cell and gene therapy (CGT) sector (1).

Plasmid DNA is a vital starting material in messenger RNA (mRNA)- and viral vector-based therapeutics, both of which underpin a wide range of clinical programs in regenerative medicine and oncology. With demand for CGTs rising globally, pDNA supply has become an increasingly critical factor in meeting development timelines.

“Bionova added these highly sought-after pDNA capabilities in response to a persistent unmet need among the cell and gene therapy biopharma community,” said Darren Head, president and chair of Bionova, in a company press release (1). “Completing this specialized 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.”

The Texas facility will initially focus on research-grade pDNA production. The company plans to begin clinical to commercial-scale current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) manufacturing by the fourth quarter of 2025. This expansion is expected to broaden Bionova’s capabilities beyond mammalian protein production by adding another key modality to its portfolio.

Why this expansion matters in biopharmaceutical manufacturing

The global pharmaceutical market is projected to reach nearly $3 trillion by 2033 at a compound annual growth rate of 6.15%, according to market research reports (2). The CGT sector is expected to represent a significant portion of that growth. For developers, reliable access to high-quality pDNA is essential not only for early-stage research but also for scaling up to commercial production. The ability to secure supply from facilities strategically located near clusters of therapy developers can help mitigate logistical delays and supply chain risks.

Bionova’s existing operations in Fremont, Calif., focus on antibody and protein manufacturing. Its move into pDNA production reflects a wider industry trend toward multi-modality service offerings, allowing CDMOs to serve a broader spectrum of drug development needs from a single platform. This approach offers efficiencies for therapy developers, who often face fragmented supply chains when sourcing materials for complex biological products.

“We chose The Woodlands because of its proximity to a growing number of CGT companies, and its location provides Bionova with access to the rapidly expanding CGT ecosystem here in the [United States]. By aligning our capabilities with the needs of the CGT sector, we look forward to building lasting partnerships that accelerate the industry,” said Head in the press release.

As part of Asahi Kasei’s Life Science group, Bionova’s growth aligns with the group’s strategy wherein expanded capabilities are emphasized, such as in virus filtration, contract research testing, and biologics manufacturing. This investment in specialized pDNA capacity signals an ongoing shift in the contract manufacturing sector toward advanced therapy support, positioning facilities like the one in The Woodlands as crucial infrastructure in the next decade of drug development.

References

1. Bionova Scientific. Bionova Scientific Opens New pDNA Facility in Texas to Support Rapidly Growing Biopharma Industry. Press Release. Aug. 12, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250812275213/en/Bionova-Scientific-opens-new-pDNA-facility-in-Texas-to-support-rapidly-growing-biopharma-industry
2. Vision Research Reports. Pharmaceutical Market (By Molecule Type; By Product; By Type; By Disease; By Formulation; By Age Group; By Route of Administration; By End Market)—Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Revenue, Regional Outlook and Forecast 2024–2033. Market Research Report. visionresearchreports.com, March 2024.