What Polymun Scientific does

Polymun Scientific Immunbiologische Forschung GmbH is an Austrian, family-owned contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) founded in 1992 by Prof. Hermann Katinger in Klosterneuburg, Austria. The company operates two integrated technology platforms: (1) biopharmaceutical CDMO services built on mammalian cell culture (CHO-based expression), BAC technology for high-yield cell line development, fed-batch and perfusion fermentation (up to 2x 2,500 L), downstream processing, aseptic filling and freeze-drying; and (2) liposomal and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation services using a proprietary single-step crossflow injection process protected by patents in the US, EU, Australia and Canada. Approximately 100 highly qualified staff (50% holding academic titles) execute work under Austrian Pharmaceutical Law §63 GMP license, with EMA (most recent inspection December 2025) and FDA (most recent July 2023) regulatory oversight.

Polymun generates revenue from three streams: contract development and manufacturing services for pharmaceutical and biotech clients (the dominant stream, covering innovator and biosimilar biologics, vaccines, and LNP-formulated drugs), licensing of proprietary technology platforms and pipeline products (e.g., rhFSH biosimilar Bemfola licensed to Gedeon Richter, recombinant porcine trypsin licensed to Laurus Bio, Lipoxysan licensed to SCARLETRED), and direct sales of HIV antibodies and antigens as research reagents. Customer relationships include BioNTech (Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine and additional mRNA-LNP programs), CureVac, Arcturus Therapeutics, Takeda (Ceprotin), Imperial College London, IAVI, AC Immune, MiNA Therapeutics, Omega Therapeutics, and approximately 20 other named enterprise and academic clients spanning pre-clinical through commercial supply. The company also maintains an internal R&D pipeline (Lipoxysan, cEPO-Fc, HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies, recombinant porcine trypsin) and is fully owned by the Katinger family with no external institutional investment.

The business model combines fee-for-service CDMO contracts, milestone/license payments on proprietary technology, and high-margin research reagent sales. Go-to-market is enterprise B2B direct sales supported by scientific publication, conference participation, and EU research network engagement. The company has no consumer-facing distribution, no digital products, and no AI/ML capability disclosed in available data.

Name

Polymun Scientific

Legal name

Polymun Scientific Immunbiologische Forschung GmbH

Website

https://polymun.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Polymun Scientific is a private Austrian CDMO founded in 1992 providing contract development and GMP manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals (CHO cell culture) and proprietary liposomal/LNP formulations for pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic clients worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing (CDMO)

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

mRNA & Nucleic Acid Manufacturing Services (mRNA/saRNA/Plasmid DNA) (HLAGAGAC)

Keywords

• Contract biopharmaceutical manufacturing
• Liposomal formulation development
• Recombinant protein production
• Lipid nanoparticle drug delivery
• GMP clinical manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Klosterneuburg

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Contract Development and Manufacturing (CDMO Services): Polymun generates revenue by providing contract development and manufacturing services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Services cover the full value chain from gene to clinical-grade material: cell line development, process development, GMP production, filling, release and stability testing, and regulatory support for both innovator and biosimilar biopharmaceutical products, as well as liposomal/LNP formulations.
2. Licensing of Proprietary Technologies and Pipeline Products: Polymun licenses its proprietary liposome/LNP technology and product pipeline (e.g., cEPO-Fc, Lipoxysan, HIV antibodies) to partners. Revenue generated from license agreements (e.g., exclusive worldwide license for rhFSH (Bemfola) to Gedeon Richter, license agreement for Lipoxysan with SCARLETRED Holding, recombinant porcine trypsin licensed to Laurus Bio). R&D projects open for co-development and licensing.
3. Research Reagents Sales: Direct sales of HIV antibodies (e.g., 2F5, 2G12, 4E10, b12, PG9, PG16) and HIV antigens (UG37gp140, CN54gp140) to research institutions. Products manufactured in CHO cells or E. coli; priced per mg (e.g., €700/mg for antibodies, €500/250μg for antigens). Payment via bank transfer; net 30 days.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Polymun Scientific provides contract development and GMP manufacturing services for biopharmaceuticals, including recombinant proteins, antibodies, and liposomal/lipid nanoparticle (LNP) drug products, from cell line development through clinical and commercial supply. The company also produces and sells HIV antigens and antibodies as research reagents.

Product overview

Polymun Scientific is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) offering two core technology platforms: biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing using mammalian cell culture (CHO cells) for recombinant proteins, antibodies, hormones, and enzymes; and liposomal/LNP formulation services using proprietary crossflow injection technology. The company also provides research reagents including HIV antibodies/antigens and recombinant enzymes, along with internal R&D programs for liposomal superoxide dismutase (Lipoxysan™), carbamylated erythropoietin-Fc fusion protein, and HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies. GMP production services span fermentation, downstream processing, filling, and regulatory support for clinical and commercial supply.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lipoxysan: Liposomal formulation of recombinant human Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) for topical application and inhalation, developed for treatment of Induratio Penis Plastica (Peyronie's disease), inflammatory skin disorders, and chronic skin ulcers.

Products and services

• Biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing End-to-end contract development and GMP manufacturing services for recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies, covering cell line development, upstream and downstream processing, formulation, and fill-finish for clinical and commercial supply. Targeted at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies seeking outsourced manufacturing capacity.
• Liposomal/LNP Formulation Development and Manufacturing Contract development and GMP manufacturing of liposomal and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) drug products, leveraging Polymun's proprietary crossflow injection liposome technology. Intended for pharma and biotech developers of vaccines, mRNA therapeutics, and other lipid-based drug products.
• Clinical and Regulatory Support Services Regulatory affairs, Qualified Person (QP), clinical, and medical affairs support accompanying contract manufacturing projects, helping clients navigate GMP compliance, product release, and clinical/commercial registration. Designed for pharma and biotech sponsors lacking internal regulatory infrastructure.
• HIV Antibodies (Research Reagents) Catalog of HIV-specific antibodies supplied as research reagents for academic, government, and industrial HIV research laboratories. Sold directly per unit through the company's catalog.
• HIV Antigens (Research Reagents) Catalog of HIV antigens supplied as research reagents for basic and translational HIV research, assay development, and vaccine studies. Sold directly per unit through the company's catalog.

Quantifiable outcome

• 250 liters of liposome preparation produced in 1.5 hours using crossflow injection technology
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BioNTech SE (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Polymun is a key manufacturing partner for BioNTech's LNP-mRNA vaccine and therapeutic programs. Polymun established manufacturing processes and performed GMP production for multiple BioNTech programs including the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty (BioNTech/Pfizer) — the first licensed COVID-19 vaccine. Additional programs include mRNA for malaria (Plasmodium falciparum, Phase 1/2), tuberculosis (Phase 1), HSV-2 (Phase 1), therapeutic antibody (Phase 2), and cell therapy applications.
• SCARLETRED Holding GmbH (Austria)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015License and development agreement for Lipoxysan (liposomal superoxide dismutase) for development and marketing across multiple indications including Peyronie's disease, inflammatory skin disorders, chronic skin ulcers, and cosmetic anti-aging products.
• Arcturus Therapeutics Inc. (USA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun implemented manufacturing processes and performed GMP production for Arcturus' LNP-mRNA coronavirus vaccine. The vaccine (Kostaive) is approved in Japan, completed Phase 3 in Vietnam, and Phase 1/2 in Singapore.
• CureVac (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun established manufacturing processes and performed GMP production for CureVac's LNP-mRNA coronavirus vaccine. CureVac's vaccine underwent Phase 3 trials in Europe and Latin America.
• Imperial College London (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple collaborations: LNP formulation of self-amplifying RNA as coronavirus vaccine (Phase 1, UK & Uganda); EU H2020 project EAVI2020 coordinated by Imperial College London involving eight trimeric HIV envelope proteins (Phase 0 in UK, Phase 1 in Netherlands and Spain).
• Gedeon Richter (Hungary)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGedeon Richter acquired Finox AG (Polymun's original license partner for rhFSH/biosimilar Bemfola) and became Polymun's new exclusive license partner worldwide. Polymun remains the exclusive manufacturer of rhFSH (Bemfola) as drug substance. Bemfola is approved in multiple countries including EU, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, and Israel.
• International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI, USA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun is a partner with IAVI on saponin/MPLA nanoparticles (SMNP) developed at MIT Koch Institute as adjuvant for HIV candidate vaccines. Polymun performed development of process and analytical methods and GMP production for Phase 1 clinical trial in USA. Polymun also partners with IAVI through EU H2020 project EHVA.
• Takeda (formerly Baxter AG, Austria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun provides GMP production of bulk material and prepares affinity chromatography gel for Takeda's HPC-4 murine monoclonal antibody used for affinity purification of protein C (Ceprotin), which is in-market globally.
• Signpath Pharma (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun performed formulation and process development and GMP production of liposomal curcumin for cancer treatment. Phase 2 ongoing in USA.
• Laurus Bio Pvt Ltd (India)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicense agreement for recombinant porcine trypsin technology. Laurus Bio (formerly Richcore Lifesciences Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, India) manufactures recombinant porcine trypsin in large-scale kilogram quantities for use in GMP processes.
• Apeiron Biologics AG (Austria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun provides process development, GMP drug substance and drug product manufacturing for recombinant human soluble ACE2 (for COVID-19 therapy and renin angiotensin system disorders). Also collaborated on Ch14.18 (Dinutuximab beta) for neuroblastoma with CCRI Vienna. Phase 2 ongoing in USA, Canada & Europe.
• Omega Therapeutics Inc. (USA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun established manufacturing process and analytical methods and performs GMP production for Omega's Omega Epigenomic Controller (OEC) mRNA medicine OTX-2002 delivered by LNPs for cancer treatment. Phase 1/2 ongoing.
• Ethris GmbH (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun developed manufacturing process and analytical methods and performs GMP production of drug product for Ethris' LNP formulation of mRNA coding for type III interferon (ETH47). Phase 1 ongoing in USA.
• Ukko Inc. (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun develops manufacturing process and analytical methods and performs GMP production and filling for Ukko's LNP formulation of mRNA coding for peanut allergens. Preclinical stage.
• InteRNA Technologies B.V. (Netherlands)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun established manufacturing process and analytical methods and performs GMP production for InteRNA's LNP formulation of miRNA INT-1B3 for treatment of advanced solid tumors. Phase 1 ongoing in Europe.
• MiNA Therapeutics Ltd. (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun performed process development and GMP production for MiNA's liposomal saRNA MTL-CEBPA with Smarticle technology for cancer treatment. Phase 2 ongoing in Singapore, Taiwan, USA, UK.
• AC Immune SA (Switzerland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun performed process development and GMP production for AC Immune's ACI-24 liposomal Alzheimer's disease vaccine with MPLA adjuvant. Phase 2 ongoing in Europe & USA.
• Avvio Medical Inc. (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun established manufacturing process and analytical methods for empty liposomes and produced non-GMP and GMP batches as bulk intermediate for Avvio's microbubbles filled with gas for treatment of ureteral stones using low-intensity ultrasound. Clinical study ongoing in USA.
• Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun performed process development and GMP production for Dicerna's liposomal formulation of siRNA. Work spans preclinical and clinical stages.
• Wittycell SA (now Abivax, France)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun performed formulation, process development and GMP production for Wittycell's liposomal adjuvant WTCc. Phase 1/2a ongoing in South Africa.
• ProNAi Inc. (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun performed process development and GMP production for ProNAi's liposomal DNAi PNT100 with Smarticle technology for cancer treatment. Phase 2 completed in USA.
• Mirna Therapeutics Inc. (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun performed process development and GMP production for Mirna's liposomal miRNA MRX34 with Smarticle technology for cancer treatment. Phase 1 completed in USA.
• Sanochemia Pharmazeutika AG (Austria)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun performed formulation and process development and GMP production for Sanochemia's liposomal formulation of galantamine for treatment of neuropathic pain. Phase 1/2a completed in Bulgaria.
• EuroNeut-41 / Sanofi-Pasteur (France)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU FP7 project coordinated by Sanofi-Pasteur. Polymun performed formulation and process development and GMP production for liposomal formulation of HIV membrane protein gp41 and MPLA as HIV vaccine. Phase 1 completed in UK.
• SurgiMab SAS (France)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun optimized manufacturing process for antibody production and conjugation, and produced GMP bulk drug substance and drug product for SurgiMab's SGM-101 (antibody conjugated to near-infrared fluorochrome for cancer detection during surgery). Phase 3 ongoing in Europe & US.
• Netris Pharma (France)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun performed cell line and process development and GMP production for Netris' humanized anti-Netrin-1 monoclonal antibody for cancer treatment. Phase 1b/2 ongoing in Europe.
• GeNeuro SA (Switzerland/France)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun performed cell line and process development and GMP production for GeNeuro's GNbAC1 humanized monoclonal IgG4 for treatment of multiple sclerosis. Phase 2 ongoing in Europe & Australia.
• Uvax Bio LLC (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun performed cell line and process development and GMP production for Uvax's HIV envelope protein as self-assembling nanoparticles (HIV vaccine candidate). Phase 1 ongoing in Australia.
• Arwan Pharmaceutical Industries (Lebanon)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolymun developed expression system and manufacturing process and supplies GMP bulk formulated drug product for Arwan's erythropoietin biosimilar (Alpeen). In-market in Lebanon, Jordan, Kenya, Libya.
• NATPRIME (European Training Network)minorOthersPolymun is a partner in the European Training Network NATPRONE, enhancing visibility in academic research community and facilitating knowledge exchange.
• BIOMOLMACS (European Training Network)minorOthersPolymun is a partner in the European Training Network BIOMOLMACS, supporting research collaboration and training.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CordenPharma: CordenPharma is a European CDMO with strong capabilities in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) excipients and liposomal formulation services, directly competing with Polymun's liposome/LNP CDMO business for nucleic acid, mRNA, and complex injectable programs serving pharma/biotech clients.
• Evonik Health Care: Evonik offers LNP formulation services and specialty lipid excipients (including for mRNA COVID vaccines), directly competing with Polymun's proprietary crossflow injection LNP technology for nucleic acid drug product manufacturing.
• Rentschler Biopharma: Rentschler is a European-based, family-influenced CDMO specializing in mammalian cell-based recombinant protein and antibody manufacturing. It is closely comparable to Polymun in service scope, European heritage, and focus on clinical-to-commercial supply.

Broad incumbents

• Catalent: Catalent is a large global CDMO with broad biologics manufacturing and LNP formulation capabilities (including partnership in Moderna COVID vaccine production). It serves similar pharma/biotech customers for gene therapy, biologics, and LNP work and represents Polymun's largest scaled competitor in overlapping service lines.
• Lonza: Lonza is one of the world's largest biologics CDMOs offering mammalian cell culture, antibody manufacturing, and LNP services. It competes with Polymun for mammalian-based recombinant protein and antibody contracts at clinical and commercial scale.
• WuXi Biologics: WuXi Biologics is a leading global biologics CDMO offering mammalian cell-based antibody and recombinant protein manufacturing from cell line development through commercial supply, directly competing with Polymun's biopharmaceutical CDMO offering for innovator and biosimilar sponsors.
• Samsung Biologics: Samsung Biologics is a large-scale biologics CDMO offering mammalian cell culture manufacturing with multi-site capacity for antibodies and recombinant proteins, comparable to Polymun's biopharma services but at materially larger commercial scale.
• Boehringer Ingelheim BioXcellence: Boehringer Ingelheim's BioXcellence is a global CDMO offering mammalian cell culture-based biologics manufacturing (antibodies, recombinant proteins) from process development to commercial supply, competing with Polymun for mammalian biopharma contracts.
• AGC Biologics: AGC Biologics is a global CDMO providing mammalian cell culture manufacturing of antibodies, recombinant proteins, and viral vectors with multi-site capacity, competing with Polymun's biopharma CDMO offering for pharma/biotech sponsors.
• Baxter BioPharma Solutions: Baxter BioPharma Solutions is a global CDMO providing parenteral manufacturing services including complex injectables, biologics fill-finish, and formulation, comparable in certain respects to Polymun's formulation, aseptic filling, and contract manufacturing capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/polymun-scientific-immunbiologische-forschung-gmbh

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Polymun Scientific