On September 9, 2026 Bionova Scientific LLC., an Asahi Kasei company and bespoke contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), and Minaris, a global cell and gene therapy (CGT) CDMO and multimodal biosafety testing organization, reported a strategic partnership to expand access to high-quality plasmid DNA (pDNA) for advanced therapy development and manufacturing.
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The collaboration brings together the companies’ capabilities to help cell and gene therapy developers secure reliable, scalable, high-quality plasmid DNA throughout the product lifecycle. By combining Bionova Scientific’s premium-grade pDNA development and manufacturing capabilities with Minaris’ OXGENE plasmid technologies, the partnership provides customers with an integrated solution for advanced therapy development and manufacturing. This approach simplifies supply chain management, streamlines technology transfer, and accelerates the path from research to commercial manufacturing.
"Cell and gene therapy developers need confidence that critical starting materials will be available when they need them and capable of scaling as programs advance," said Eytan Abraham, Chief Technology and Commercial Officer, Minaris. "Through our partnership with Bionova Scientific, we will provide customers expanded access to best-in-class plasmids designed to enable higher yields and improve vector quality while helping simplify development and manufacturing."
Together, Bionova Scientific and Minaris support pDNA requirements for both adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentiviral vector (LVV) manufacturing workflows. The offering pairs Minaris’ OXGENE’s sequence optimization technology with Bionova Scientific’s Clean Genome E. coli platform to enable scalable plasmid DNA production.
"Bionova Scientific is committed to delivering premium-grade plasmid DNA through scientifically robust process development, scalable manufacturing, and operational excellence," said Pratima Cherukuri, General Manager and Vice President of pDNA Process Development at Bionova Scientific. "Together with Minaris, we are providing developers with an integrated platform that reduces complexity, supports efficient technology transfer and process scale-up, and enables a seamless transition from research-use materials through clinical and commercial GMP manufacturing."
As part of the partnership, the companies are establishing a portfolio of 13 production-ready plasmids built on SnapFast technology, supporting fast and scalable viral vector manufacturing across CGT applications. The OXGENE Plasmids portfolio includes nine AAV plasmids spanning Rep/Cap serotypes 1-8 plus adenoviral helper functions, as along with four proven LVV plasmids covering the GOI transfer backbone, packaging, Rev, and envelope. Manufacturing is underway, with two plasmids already supporting an active customer program. Research-use materials are expected within about four weeks, with the remaining plasmids being released in phases over the coming months.
This expanding portfolio will provide developers with rapid access to standardized, scalable plasmid DNA solutions that shorten development timelines and offer greater flexibility.
"The promise of cell and gene therapies can only be realized when scientific innovation is supported by dependable manufacturing," said Darren Head, Chairman and President of Bionova Scientific. "This partnership brings together complementary expertise to simplify development, reduce supply chain risk, and provide customers with a seamless path from research through commercial manufacturing. Together, we’re helping innovators move promising therapies to patients faster."
Representatives from both companies will be available to discuss the partnership during the 11th CAR-TCR Summit in Boston in September 2026 and the Meeting on the Mesa in October 2026.
(Press release, Asahi Kasei, SEP 9, 2026, View Source [SID1234671079])