Minaris, the Philadelphia-based global cell and gene therapy CDMO and multimodal contract testing organization, announced on September 29, 2026 the addition of a dedicated Viral Vectors business unit, evolving its business model around three specialized areas: Cell Therapies, Viral Vectors, and Advanced Testing.
CEO Orla Cloak said: “Minaris is entering its next phase with a business model that reflects both the evolving needs of our customers and the direction of the markets we serve. The addition of a dedicated Viral Vectors business unit allows us to bring greater focus to an area that is increasingly important to cell and gene therapy developers, while continuing to build on our established strengths in cell therapies and advanced testing. Across all three businesses, our goal is to provide the deep technical expertise and integrated capabilities customers need as they move complex therapies from development through commercialization.”
Three Units, One Coordinated Company
Under the new structure, effective October 1, 2026, Minaris will operate through Minaris Cell Therapies, led by Dr. Luciana Mansolelli; Minaris Viral Vectors, led by Dr. Eytan Abraham; and Minaris Advanced Testing, led by Dr. Ilya Koltover. Customers can engage with a single business unit or across multiple units depending on their program needs. Cell Therapies brings 25+ years of autologous and allogeneic development and manufacturing experience, supported by facilities across the US, Europe, and Asia. Viral Vectors brings 10+ years of viral vector process and analytical development experience, including in vivo lentiviral programs, built on a plasmid and cell-line technology portfolio developed through OXGENE and centralized at Minaris’ Philadelphia site (with OXGENE itself based in the UK). Advanced Testing brings 40 years of GMP biosafety, viral clearance, potency, and analytical testing experience across biologics, vaccines, and advanced therapies.
Betting on In Vivo Gene Therapy’s Growth
Minaris frames the restructuring as a response to the industry’s expansion toward in vivo gene therapies, which demand robust viral vector development, scalable manufacturing, high-quality analytical and biosafety testing, and strong regulatory readiness — all areas the company says its combined CDMO and testing expertise is positioned to support. The move builds on Minaris’ own formation: the company was created through 2025 acquisitions of Minaris Regenerative Medicine and WuXi Advanced Therapies (formerly the WuXi AppTec Philadelphia site) by U.S. private equity firm Altaris. “This evolution allows us to build on that foundation while positioning the company for where the industry is heading,” Cloak said. “Across all three business units, customers will continue to benefit from the same commitment to quality, collaboration, and scientific rigor.”
About Minaris
Minaris is a global cell and gene therapy CDMO and multimodal contract testing organization, operating through three business units: Minaris Cell Therapies, Minaris Viral Vectors, and Minaris Advanced Testing. With more than 25 years of cell therapy and viral vector development and manufacturing experience and more than 40 years in biosafety testing, Minaris supports partners across its global network in advancing complex therapies from development through commercialization.
