Bioingenium invests €1.5m in a new production plant

Bioingenium, based in the Barcelona Science Park, is an internationally renowned CDMO which offers tailor-made R&D services. The company is expanding its capacity to develop bioprocesses and manufacture biological products and active ingredients for the biotechnology, cosmetics, and food industries with a new production plant in Cornellà de Llobregat (Barcelona, Spain).

Representing an investment of €1.5m, the new facility - which will be fully operational in mid-2024 - will have a surface area of 1,200 m2 and will be equipped with the most cutting-edge technology.

"The opening of this pilot plant will allow us to expand our production capacity and prepare for the next phase of the company's expansion in the cosmetics and food tech markets, as well as in other emerging and sustainable sectors. The demand for biotechnology services is constantly increasing, and we believe that this new plant will give us a significant competitive advantage in these markets, in addition to facilitating a gradual increase in our production capacity to meet the current and future needs of the globalm market," explains David Resina, director of the company.

Bioingenium has over 15 years’ experience as a CDMO for bioprocess services and biological products and is an internationally recognised company in recombinant protein expression. Currently, it provides highly customised solutions to over 150 clients in 20 countries around the world.

The company has experienced an annual growth of 30% over the last 3 years, thanks to its strategy of diversifying production into new sectors such as cosmetics, constant technological innovation, consistent commitment to research and development and the loyalty of their customers, who are assured of the company´s capacity to deliver effective, high-quality and tailor-made services according to their needs.

In 2022, Bioingenium achieved a turnover of 1 million euros, and over the past year, the company has extended its team by 40%, while also supported by an ambitious business plan for the coming years.

"Each service we offer constitutes a unique development, and our ambition is not to simply be a service provider, but a value-added partner for our clients. Our commitment to customer satisfaction, quality, and flexibility are fundamental to our values," says Resina.

Services for the biopharmaceutical industry

Bioingenium provides tailor-made bioprocess development services and therapeutic protein production to a wide range of clients, from early-stage biotechnology companies to those producing final products. In addition, they also manufacture enzymes for therapeutic DNA and RNA modification, a sector that has grown significantly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of mRNA vaccines.

"We are confident that the biologics sector will continue to grow, and we are committed to manufacturing products that play a crucial role in the synthesis of therapeutic DNA and RNA," reveals Päivi Linna, company’s Marketing director.

Biotechnological innovation for the cosmetic industry

In addition to focussing on biopharma, Bioingenium has also been manufacturing active ingredients for the cosmetics industry since 2017. This product line is based on the company's specialised knowledge in bioprocesses, which has enabled the development of an R&D platform for the creation of new active ingredients. Bioingenium collaborates with leading global partners in the development and manufacturing of these products.

"Our vision is to expand our active ingredients line and establish agreements with partners that will bring these products to the market. To achieve this, we plan to invest over 750,000 euros in the next three years to further develop our active ingredient platform", says Resina.

Exploring other growing sectors

The company is also exploring other rapidly growing sectors in which biotechnology can offer solutions, such as to produce enzymes and alternative proteins for food. Along these lines, Bioingenium has been providing bioprocess services to startups and industrial companies that need a technological partner.

"We see that our knowledge in precision fermentation is highly valued by companies that develop new foods, including alternative proteins. This sector is experiencing a technological revolution, and we want to be part of it by contributing our scientific experience," says the company director.

■ About Bioingenium

Bioingenium (http://www.bioingenium.net) is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation (CDMO). It offers tailor-made R&D services to the biopharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food industries. It specialises in the development of bioprocesses, therapeutic recombinant protein production and fermentation processes.

The company, founded in 2008, is based in Barcelona Science Park. The company boasts highly qualified professionals, experts in biology, biochemistry, and biotechnology, and extensive experience in upstream fermentation and cultivation processes and downstream purification processes, as well as boasting a state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment.

Via the National Innovation Company (ENISA), Bioingenium enjoys the support of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, so that it can finance investments in the bioprocess plant and increase the scope and number of services offered.