At this year’s Life Sciences Baltics 2025 in Vilnius, Korean Pharm-Edaily (팜이데일리), a leading South Korean life sciences publication, highlighted Lithuania’s rapidly growing biotech ecosystem, with Northway Biotech recognized for its biomanufacturing expertise within the region.
Dr. André Markmann, Northway Biotech’s Vice President of Business Development, was among the featured speakers, highlighting the company’s role as a reliable CDMO partner for global biotechs.
The following section is excerpted from the original Pharm-Edaily article:
EN: Northway Biotech, leveraging Lithuania’s central European location as a niche CDMO
Northway Biotech, a flagship biomanufacturing company in Lithuania, was founded on production expertise and successful M&A experience by Professor Vladas Algirdas Bumelis, a former senior executive at Sicor Biotech, which was acquired by Teva.
In 2004, Northway established a cGMP facility in Vilnius for producing protein-based biologics such as antibodies. In 2020, it expanded its production capacity to Boston, U.S., and since September 2024, it has been operating a cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing facility in Vilnius with capabilities in plasmid DNA and AAV viral vector production. This marks the Baltic region’s first CGT manufacturing facility and is the initial unit of “BioCity II,” a 8,000 m² complex under construction with a planned €7 billion (KRW 11 trillion) investment through 2030.
André Markmann, VP of Business Development, told Edaily, ‘South Korea is an example of how a small country can achieve big things,’ implying that this inspires Lithuania, which is also a relatively small nation in size.
He added, ‘Northway Biotech, based in Lithuania which is in the geographic center of Europe, can provide production services for overseas biotech companies planning European clinical trials. Our production capacity is versatile from as small as 10 liters up to 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 liters. We offer end-to-end services from cell-line development to drug substance (DS) and drug product (DP). So far, we’ve worked with 90 clients, 70% from Europe and 30% from the U.S. We’re in talks with potential Korean biotech clients as well.
KO: 노스웨이바이오텍, 지정학적으로 유럽 ‘정중앙’…소규모 CMO 강점
리투아니아의 바이오 제조부문 대표 기업인 노스웨이바이오텍(Northway Biotech)은 생산 전문성과 인수합병(M&A) 성공 경험을 기반으로 설립됐다. 글로벌 기업 테바(Teva)에 인수된 시코르바이오텍(Sicor Biotech) 고위임원으로 근무한 블라다스 알히르다스 뷰멜리스(Vladas Algirdas Bumelis) 교수가 차린 회사다.
노스웨이바이오텍은 2004년 리투아니아 빌뉴스에 항체 등 단백질 기반 바이오 물질 생산 cGMP 시설을 세웠고 2020년 미국 보스턴으로 생산 역량을 확장했다. 지난 2024년 9월부터는 빌뉴스에 플라스미드 DNA, 아데노부속바이러스(AAV) 바이럴벡터 생산역량을 가진 세포·유전자치료제(CGT) 생산시설을 세워 가동하고 있다. 이는 발트반도 최초의 CGT 시설이며 2030년까지 70억 유로(11조원)를 투입해 건축하는 8000㎡ 규모의 빌뉴스 ‘바이오시티 II’의 첫 유닛이다.
이데일리가 만난 앙드레 마크맨(Andre Markmann) 노스웨이바이오텍 사업개발 부사장은 “한국은 작은 나라가 큰 일을 일으킬 수 있다는 예시를 보여줘 마찬가지로 작은 국가인 리투아니아에 귀감”이라며 “연구개발부터 제조생산까지 바이오 영역에서 글로벌 성과를 보이고 있는 점에서 주목하고 있다, 삼성바이오로직스만 봐도 그렇다”고 말했다.
마크맨은 “(노스웨이바이오텍은) 유럽 임상을 계획하는 해외 바이오텍들에게 작게는 10ℓ부터 1000ℓ, 2000ℓ, 4000ℓ 규모로 생산 서비스를 제공할 수 있다. 세포주부터 원료의약품(DS), 완제의약품(DP)까지 엔드-투-엔드 서비스”라며 “현재까지 90곳의 고객사를 발굴했고 이들 중 70%가 유럽, 30%가 미국이며 수주를 논의중인 잠재적 고객들 중에 한국 바이오텍도 있다”고 말했다.
We extend our sincere thanks to journalist Jeongyeo Lim (임정요 기자) from Pharm-Edaily for the thoughtful interview and coverage during Life Sciences Baltics 2025.
Read the full article in English
Read the full article in Korean
About Northway Biotech
Northway Biotech is a leading CDMO specializing in protein-based biologics and gene therapies, offering comprehensive, end-to-end development and manufacturing services. With deep expertise in cell line development, process optimization, and cGMP manufacturing, the company supports programs from early development through to commercial production. Northway Biotech delivers robust gene therapy capabilities, including plasmid DNA manufacturing, viral vector production, and fill-and-finish services, supported by BSL-2 and BSL-3 infrastructure. The company also offers viral clearance studies to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of biologics and advanced therapies. Founded in 2004, the privately held company operates state-of-the-art facilities in Lithuania and the United States, delivering high-quality, compliant solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs.
For further information, visit www.northwaybiotech.com
Northway Biotech Contact:
Vladas Algirdas Bumelis
CEO and Chairman of the Board
vladas.bumelis@northwaybiotech.com