National Biologics Facility

What National Biologics Facility does

The National Biologics Facility (NBF) is a non-profit academic biomanufacturing facility operated by the University of Queensland's Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) in Brisbane, Australia. Established in 2011 and funded through the Australian Government's National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), NBF operates as Australia's national facility for recombinant protein and biologics production, spanning research-grade protein supply through to Phase I clinical-grade biomanufacturing under an ISO 9001 certified quality management system at PC2 biosafety level. The facility supports all major biologic modalities including monoclonal antibodies, bispecifics, antibody-drug conjugates, antibody fragments and nanobodies, radioligand therapeutics, recombinant vaccines, Fc-fusion proteins, therapeutic enzymes, and diagnostic proteins, across two Brisbane sites: AIBN and the Translational Research Institute (TRI).

NBF's core technology is a multi-host recombinant protein expression platform spanning four expression systems (E. coli, Pichia yeast, baculovirus/insect cells, and mammalian cells), combined with end-to-end biologics manufacturing from discovery through Phase I clinical-grade production. The facility maintains proprietary platforms including an in-house naive human phage display scFv library for antibody discovery, a nanobody discovery platform via alpaca vaccination, ADC bioconjugation capabilities (cysteine-engineered, enzymatic conjugation), and radioligand precursor production with chelator pre-conjugation. The Beacon Optofluidics Platform enables high-throughput single-cell cloning, and the Molecular Clamp vaccine platform developed at NBF was validated by Sanofi's $1.15B USD acquisition of Vicebio in 2025. In June 2026, NBF merged with the Protein Expression Facility (PEF) to consolidate end-to-end capabilities under a single banner.

The facility operates on a fee-for-service contract manufacturing model, co-designing each contract with sponsors, combined with NCRIS government funding support. It serves academic research institutions, biotech and pharmaceutical companies, industrial and diagnostic companies, and government health agencies across Australia and internationally through partnership referrals. GTM motion is primarily enterprise field sales via direct engagement with sponsors, supplemented by event-driven awareness through the annual Protein Australia conference and peer-reviewed publication-led credibility. No pricing is publicly disclosed.

Name

National Biologics Facility

Legal name

National Biologics Facility, The University of Queensland

Website

https://nationalbiologicsfacility.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The National Biologics Facility (NBF) is Australia's NCRIS-funded non-profit CDMO at the University of Queensland, providing end-to-end recombinant protein and biologics manufacturing from research-grade supply through Phase I clinical-grade production across four expression hosts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biologics Contract Manufacturing Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Biologics (mAbs/Recombinant Proteins) CDMO (HLAGABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biologic API/Drug Substance Manufacturing Services (HLAAAKAA), Antibody Discovery & Engineering Platforms (display tech, bispecifics, Fc engineering) (HLAAAIAB), GMP Quality, Validation & Regulatory Support (GMP/CSV/Qualification) (HLAGAGAL)

Keywords

• Recombinant protein production
• Biologics contract manufacturing
• Antibody discovery services
• Multi-host protein expression
• Clinical-grade biomanufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Lucia

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Contract Biologics Manufacturing Services: Fee-for-service contract manufacturing model where sponsors pay for recombinant protein production, process development, and Phase I clinical manufacturing services. Each contract is co-designed with the sponsor. Revenue is project-based, ranging from research-grade protein supply through to clinical-grade drug substance production.
2. NCRIS Government Funding Support: As an NCRIS-funded national facility, NBF combines academic flexibility with industrial-grade quality systems. Government funding supports the facility's operations and enables affordable access for Australian researchers and companies.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The National Biologics Facility (NBF) is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) offering end-to-end biologics services from early-stage recombinant protein production through Phase I clinical-grade drug substance manufacturing. Services span discovery and protein engineering (antibody/nanobody discovery via phage display), molecular engineering and cloning, multi-host expression across E. coli, Pichia yeast, baculovirus/insect and mammalian cells, process development and scale-up to 50L clinical bioreactors, full bioanalytical characterization, and Phase I clinical manufacturing under an ISO 9001 certified quality management system. The facility supports all major biologic modalities including mAbs, bispecifics, ADCs, nanobodies, radioligand therapeutics, recombinant vaccines, Fc-fusion proteins, therapeutic enzymes, and diagnostic proteins, serving academic, industry, and government sponsors in Australia and globally.

Product overview

The National Biologics Facility (NBF) is an end-to-end biologics CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) offering integrated services from early-stage recombinant protein production through to Phase I clinical-grade drug substance manufacturing. NBF operates as a unified platform combining multiple service modules: Discovery & Protein Engineering, Molecular Engineering & Cloning, Multi-Host Expression Systems (E. coli, Pichia, insect, mammalian), Process Development & Manufacturing, Bioanalytics & Characterisation, and Phase I-Enabling Manufacturing. The facility supports all major biologic modalities including monoclonal antibodies, bispecifics, antibody-drug conjugates, antibody fragments, nanobodies, radioligand therapeutics, recombinant vaccines, Fc-fusion proteins, therapeutic enzymes, and diagnostic proteins. Operating under an ISO 9001 certified quality management system at PC2 biosafety level, NBF serves academic, industry, and government sponsors across the entire translational continuum from milligrams of research-grade protein through to grams of clinical-grade drug substance for first-in-human trials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Discovery and Protein Engineering Services Antibody and nanobody discovery via in-house naive human phage display scFv library and camelid nanobody platform, supported by protein engineering and bioconjugation strategies including ADC development. Service includes biopanning campaign design, alpaca immunization, bacterial display screening with iterative selection rounds, and sequence verification for lead binders. For academic, biotech, and pharmaceutical sponsors.
• Molecular Engineering and Cloning Services High-throughput cloning and endotoxin-free plasmid production using a comprehensive vector suite covering pOPIN, pET, pGEX, pcDNA, and pFastBac for all four expression hosts. Service supports gene synthesis through to expression-ready construct delivery.
• Multi-Host Recombinant Protein Expression Services Parallel recombinant protein expression across four platforms (E. coli, Pichia yeast, baculovirus/insect cells, mammalian cells including CHO and HEK293), from milligram to gram scale. Includes strain panels, vector libraries, and detailed condition matrices for parallel optimization to identify soluble, functional expression routes.
• Process Development and Scale-Up Manufacturing Services Upstream scale-up from shake flask through 10-25L research bioreactors to 50L clinical-grade upstream, combined with full downstream purification and formulation development. Includes scale-up to clinical bioreactor scale for Phase I-enabling manufacturing.
• Bioanalytics and Characterisation Services Comprehensive analytical testing for identity, purity, intact mass, sequencing, stability, formulation, and release-grade assay development across the biologics lifecycle. Supports method validation and release testing under ISO 9001 quality management.
• Phase I Clinical-Grade Biomanufacturing Services PC2 clinical-grade drug substance manufacture for first-in-human trials under an ISO 9001 certified quality management system. Includes master cell banking, release testing, and technology transfer support to downstream GMP CDMOs. Operates from the Translational Research Institute (TRI) clinical manufacturing suite in Brisbane.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,500+ projects completed over 15+ years
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Protein Expression Facility (PEF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Two of Australia's leading protein and biologics research facilities at AIBN came together under the NBF banner in June 2026. This combines NBF's expertise in biopharmaceutical development, clinical manufacturing, and therapeutic translation with PEF's recombinant protein production capabilities across multiple expression systems.
• CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CEPI-funded project focuses on building a rapid response vaccine pipeline to safeguard against future pandemics. UQ's Vaccine Rapid Response team, led by Professor Keith Chappell, is working on the 100 Days Mission challenge to develop a Chapare virus vaccine. Clinical grade batch production planned at NBF.
• Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic TherapeuticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024NBF working with Dr Adam Wheatly and team from the Doherty Institute on antiviral biologics discovery and validation. Awarded $1.5 million in Round One Foundation Grants for developing platforms to discover, optimise and validate protective potential of human or humanised biologics as antiviral drugs.
• Queensland Emory Vaccine Centre (QEVC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024$32 million partnership between UQ and US-based Emory University, with support from Queensland Government, to establish QEVC at UQ. Brings together UQ and Emory researchers with industry partners including Sanofi and Vaxxas to accelerate vaccine development.
• Doherty InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Researchers at the Doherty Institute developing novel therapeutic platform technology to combat viral pathogens with pandemic potential, in collaboration with NBF and Biointelect. Supported by Health Security Systems Australia (HSSA).
• Macrobiome TherapeuticsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021AIBN Professor Trent Munro appointed Advisory Board member of Macrobiome Therapeutics, spun out of James Cook University research. NBF conducted collaborative research with JCU lead researcher Professor Alex Loukas to develop therapeutics for Type 2 diabetes using worm saliva.
• Queensland HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinuously contracted by Queensland Health to produce and emergency-stockpile the anti-Hendra virus monoclonal antibody m102.4. The antibody has been used under special access protocols to treat individuals following high-risk Hendra virus exposures in Australia and has been provided under humanitarian need into India during Nipah virus outbreaks.
• NCRIS (National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy)coreOthersAs an NCRIS-funded national facility, NBF combines academic flexibility with industrial-grade quality systems. Government funding supports the facility's operations and enables affordable access for Australian researchers and companies.
• Therapeutic Innovation Australia (TIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple TIA nodes prioritized COVID-19 vaccine development during initial lockdown. TIA provides specialist NCRIS-funded production facilities at AIBN, including NBF and PEF, enabling identification and translation of biomedical research discoveries.
• National Imaging FacilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEssential enabler of the 10D7 ovarian cancer antibody theranostic program. The national research infrastructure enabled the complete antibody-to-clinic pathway to be completed domestically apart from one toxicology study overseas.
• CSIROminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBF managed technology transfer from UQ NBF to CSIRO for DFO conjugation development in the 10D7 anti-CDCP1 antibody program for ovarian cancer.
• PATH, Burnet Institute, WEHIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal health partners for malaria diagnostic protein supply. These organizations work on designing more sensitive diagnostic tests capable of detecting parasites that evade current rapid tests, supporting surveillance and mass test-and-treat programs essential to malaria elimination.
• AMTAR ARC hubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for ADC capabilities to generate effective strategies around manufacture, chemical linker design, purification, and characterisation of antibody-drug conjugates and radiolabelled or high potency bioconjugate molecules and diagnostics.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Lonza: World's largest biologics CDMO offering mammalian and microbial expression, cell and gene therapy, and full cGMP manufacturing at commercial scale. Comparable in modality breadth and multi-host expression offering, but operates at global commercial scale far beyond NBF's Phase I ceiling.
• Catalent: Global CDMO with biologics, cell and gene therapy, and oral drug delivery capabilities following the Paragon acquisition. Provides a comparable multi-modality CDMO service offering but at commercial scale.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Patheon Pharma Services): Global CDMO services arm within Thermo Fisher offering biologics, small molecule, and viral vector manufacturing through the Patheon brand. Represents the broad incumbent alternative that Australian sponsors tap when scaling beyond NBF's Phase I capacity.
• WuXi Biologics: China-headquartered global biologics CDMO with end-to-end discovery, development, and manufacturing services across mammalian, microbial, and viral vector modalities. Comparable end-to-end offering but operates at much larger commercial scale.
• Samsung Biologics: Korea-based global biologics CDMO operating very large-scale mammalian cell culture manufacturing facilities. Comparable in offering mammalian biologics CDMO services but at substantially larger commercial capacity than NBF.

Direct peers

• Luina Bio: Australian contract biomanufacturer based in Brisbane offering recombinant protein and microbial expression services for clinical development. Closest geographic and capability peer to NBF, competing for the same Australian academic and biotech sponsor base.
• BioVectra: Canada-based mid-sized CDMO offering microbial fermentation and biologics manufacturing services for clinical and commercial supply. Comparable in scale and CDMO service scope, with a similar microbial-expression heritage to NBF's E. coli and Pichia platforms.
• AGC Biologics: Global CDMO offering mammalian and microbial biologics manufacturing, with a Heidelberg (Germany) and Copenhagen heritage similar to NBF's academic-to-CDMO transition. Closest mid-sized global peer in scope and modality mix.

Regional players

• IDT Australia: Australian pharmaceutical contract manufacturer offering sterile injectable manufacturing, API production, and clinical supply services. Comparable Australian-based biomanufacturing peer with overlapping clinical supply capabilities, though focused more on small molecules and aseptic fill-finish.

Emerging players

• AbCellera: Vancouver-based antibody discovery and development company operating proprietary antibody platforms including phage and yeast display. Comparable in antibody discovery technology and modality focus, particularly with NBF's phage display scFv library, but with a fully-integrated clinical development model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-biologics-facility
• Xx.com/NationalBiolog2

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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