From NZ to the World: How BioOra is Scaling Novel Cancer Therapies
Deep tech commercialisation is notoriously difficult, but the stakes are never higher than when the technology in question is a novel cancer therapy.
BioOra, a New Zealand-based medical powerhouse, is proving that with the right science, the right execution, and the right partners, groundbreaking therapies can move from the lab bench to the bedside.
BioOra is actively building native capability in New Zealand for the complex manufacture of immunotherapies. Their initial focus is commercialising a treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Their clinical momentum is building rapidly, CEO John Robson explains:
"In our Phase 2 trial, we're currently at about patient 32, so we're halfway through a 60-patient cohort. We are incredibly encouraged by the momentum of our clinical programme and the operational scaling of our manufacturing capabilities."
The Commercialisation Hurdle
Despite this clinical momentum, the reality of the medical technology landscape is complex. As John notes, "Many promising therapies never make it out of the lab."
The science is just the beginning. The hurdle for companies like BioOra lies in successfully scaling complex manufacturing processes and navigating the intricate labyrinth of global regulatory approvals to actually reach the patient.
To help bridge this gap, Bridgewest Ventures New Zealand partnered with the Malaghan Institute in late 2020 as an initial seed investor. The goal of the joint venture was simple, help design a clear, accelerated commercialisation pathway so this vital therapy could reach the public.
For John and the BioOra team, finding a partner who grasped the gravity of their timeline was crucial.
"Bridgewest Ventures really understood the urgency of our business. It was critical for us to ensure that we could get through our Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials and into public access as quickly as possible. This required a super accelerated program, access to capital, and then more importantly, access to expertise. One of the differentiators of Bridgewest Ventures was access to some incredible individuals around the world that we never would have had a chance of talking to otherwise."
The Reality of Scaling Deep Tech
Beyond capital and global networks, scaling an advanced personalised therapy requires immense operational resilience. Transitioning from manual to automated manufacturing, establishing accelerated approval pathways with regulatory bodies like Medsafe, and managing hyper-growth takes a toll on the team leading the charge.
"Building a startup and being a CEO is incredibly difficult. You kind of feel alone for a lot of the journey. Having a network of people around me that have done this... having somebody a phone call away that says, 'Hey, it's good, we've got this,' is really motivating."
Building for the World, from New Zealand
With that support system in place, BioOra's momentum is undeniable.
The company has grown from just two employees in 2021 to a team of 45 today, with plans to hire 40 more over the next year. In a massive step forward for New Zealand's biotech infrastructure, BioOra recently broke ground on a state-of-the-art, 1,000-square-meter cell and gene therapy manufacturing site in Christchurch. Once operational, the facility has the potential to manufacture hundreds of patient doses for a variety of different cancers.
For founders navigating the deep tech ecosystem, BioOra serves as an inspiring blueprint for what is possible. They are not just developing a local solution; they are actively building the global standard of care.
"When you start a small business in a little country a long way from the rest of the world, the vision is always: how do I take this global? The business that we're building is destined to be a billion-dollar global company with patients all around the world, and we're doing it from here, from New Zealand."