BridgeWest adds NovaCina to pharmaceutical assets

Private investment firm, Bridgewest Group has expanded its pharmaceuticals portfolio, announcing the purchase of the sterile injectable manufacturing facility of Pfizer (Perth) Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Pfizer, Inc.

The cGMP manufacturing facility, located in Bentley, Perth is a diverse sterile injectable manufacturing facility, approved to supply drug products in over 90 countries with approvals secured by regulatory bodies including the FDA, TGA, EU and others.

The NovaCina facility has extensive blow fill seal (BFS) capabilities for producing sterile injectable essential drug products as well as significant capabilities to produce specialty oncology drug products for global distribution.

In addition to the operations and facility, Bridgewest Group will also be acquiring a suite of drug products from Pfizer which it will look to aggressively market and expand globally.

In 2020, Bridgewest Group bought Adelaide microbial drug substance manufacturer Hospira Adelaide Pty Ltd, which it has expanded and now operates under the name BioCina.

The Perth purchase follows a $2 million investment from the Western Australian government through the Investment Attraction Fund.

Upgrades planned will include a new automated blow, fill and seal line to make products such as eye droppers, and a new design packaging line.

The improvements will also facilitate onshore commercialisation of Australian intellectual property, replacing importation needs, and drive new innovation and commercial opportunities.

The expansion is set to create almost 70 new local jobs, and employ 31 contractors during construction.

Further reading:
BioCina to expand mRNA vaccines capabilities

Picture: Bridgewest Perth Pharma