Can you detail Mabion’s evolution?

MH: Mabion was founded in 2007 as a biosimilar developer with a vision to build its product portfolio for the European market. Over time, we built significant technical and manufacturing capabilities in biologics, particularly in monoclonal antibodies and mammalian cell culture.

A major milestone in our evolution came during the COVID-19 pandemic when we entered into a 4.5-year partnership with Novavax to support the manufacturing its COVID-19 vaccine. While global demand for that specific product has since declined, the collaboration remains active.

Today, Mabion is a full-service CDMO that supports a growing number of clients — from biotech startups to global pharma — across the entire development lifecycle. We offer end-to-end services, from early-phase development, cell line creation, and in-house analytics to aseptic fill-finish and commercial packaging. Starting in January 2024, we expanded our offering by adding sterile fill-finish capabilities and a dedicated packaging line, further strengthening our ability to serve clients from preclinical through to commercial scale. How is Mabion adapting to shifting market demands and planning for future expansion?

MH: We’re closely monitoring shifts in market demand, which are becoming more nuanced and specialized. For example, the growing popularity of antibody-drug conjugates ADCs is driving increased collaboration between antibody partnerships with small molecule companies. How is Mabion positioning Poland as a competitive alternative for biotech manufacturing?

MH: Our BD strategy focuses on educating North Americans about Central Europe’s value. Poland is still unfamiliar to many. Its GDP has outpaced much of Europe’s for years. The workforce is highly educated, industry-driven, and tech-savvy—perfect for biotech. With the Biosecure Act gaining traction, more companies are seeking alternatives to Asia. We are highlighting Poland as a prime option.

AP: We provide equivalent - if not superior – quality, technical capabilities, and strong IP protection under EU law. Our cost base is significantly lower than in Western Europe, and we are raising awareness that Poland is a great option. How is Mabion using partnerships to capitalize on the growing demand for biologics?

AP: We are actively building partnerships to support clients seeking ADC capabilities. When Mabion first entered the CDMO space, our strategy concentrated on developing all capabilities in-house. Today, our approach has evolved: we are providing excellence in our core services, and for specialized areas outside our current, we are pursuing strategic collaborations with companies specialized in those fields.

MH: To succeed, we recognize that we cannot be all things to all people. Bringing in the right partners is key. Larger CDMOs struggle to support smaller clients due to inflexibility and longer lead times. We offer more flexibility and quicker turnaround. Can you describe Mabions’s 2024-2027 ESG strategy?

AP: While ESG has long been embedded in our daily operations, we have now formalized it into a clear strategic framework that aligns with both our business strategy and the evolving regulatory landscape. In 2024 alone, we achieved 89% of the ESG goals we set — a testament to our commitment to sustainable growth.

Our initiatives range from environmental actions like calculating our carbon footprint across all three scopes and preparing a decarbonization strategy, to social efforts such as employee engagement programs, partnerships with universities, and community outreach. We’ve also strengthened our governance practices by implementing new compliance policies and improving transparency in internal communication. How is Mabion building brand recognition?

AP: We are taking a proactive and strategic approach to building brand recognition — not just for Mabion, but also for Poland as an emerging hub in the biologics CDMO space. Our efforts are focused on increasing visibility in key global markets, particularly North America and Western Europe, where awareness of Central European capabilities remains limited.

We are engaging in targeted marketing, participating in international industry events, and building thought leadership through interviews, expert panels, and content creation. At the same time, we are strengthening our digital presence and leveraging strategic partnerships to amplify our message.

MH: Over the past year, we launched a strong marketing campaign. Our goal is to build a portfolio of clients that matches our full range of services. We offer not just biologics development and manufacturing but also fill-finish and analytical capabilities. Our portfolio is flexible, ready to meet any project demand.