Global Capabilities Series: Insights from CGT Asia 2025
Interview with Jeff Whitmore, Chief Commercial Officer, on VGXI’s Role in Bridging APAC Innovation and U.S. Commercialization
As part of our ongoing commitment to international collaboration, VGXI continues to extend its reach through the Global Capabilities Series, an initiative designed to highlight how regional engagement supports global therapeutic impact. This new blog series centers on VGXI’s recent participation in the 3rd Cell & Gene Therapy Research & Development Congress: Asia, held April 10 to 11, 2025, in Singapore. Organized by Global Engage, the summit brought together thought leaders from across the Asia Pacific region to discuss commercialization, regulatory readiness, and investment strategies in the growing cell and gene therapy (CGT) space.
VGXI’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jeff Whitmore, was invited to speak on a featured panel titled “Navigating Commercialization and Investment in Cell and Gene Therapies in Asia.” Following the event, we sat down with Jeff to reflect on the biggest takeaways and discuss how VGXI’s capabilities as a U.S. based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) align with the emerging needs of APAC developers.
Understanding Regional Momentum
Jeff noted that while innovation across Asia is strong, particularly in CAR T technologies, many CGT programs face headwinds when moving toward commercialization. Market dynamics are putting pressure on developers to focus only on therapies with near term outcomes, often at the cost of long term or exploratory programs.
“The whole market is focused on anything with a nearby outcome,” Jeff explained. “If the outcome is at a distance, it becomes difficult to invest in.” He also cited data suggesting that as many as 40 percent of contracted programs in the region are either canceled or delayed. As such, the environment creates an urgent need for developers to align with stable, forward looking partners who understand global regulatory processes and can support the transition to commercial scale manufacturing.
VGXI’s Value to APAC Developers
For Asian biotech companies looking to bring therapies into the United States, VGXI offers something essential: experience. With over two decades of leadership in plasmid DNA manufacturing and deep expertise in FDA aligned development, VGXI is uniquely positioned to support early to commercial programs from developers in Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and beyond.
“Unless a therapeutic developer from China wants to bring their drug to the U.S., there is limited opportunity for us to support them directly,” Jeff noted. He explained that China’s internal manufacturing infrastructure is robust and largely self-sufficient for its domestic pipeline. As a result, Chinese developers typically only seek U.S. based CDMO support when they are preparing to expand their drug product or substance operations into North America.
“VGXI is uniquely positioned to support early-to-commercial programs from developers in Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and beyond.”
In contrast, South Korea and Japan are especially attractive markets for VGXI. Developers in these regions are increasingly focused on global expansion and actively seek U.S. partners with FDA aligned GMP capabilities, regulatory experience, and commercialization expertise. These countries also benefit from strong governmental support for biotech innovation and established international collaboration frameworks, making them a natural fit for VGXI’s services.
“There is real demand and alignment with our capabilities,” Jeff added.
VGXI’s facilities in Texas, located in The Woodlands and at its expanded headquarters in Conroe’s Deison Technology Park, feature over 160,000 square feet of invested space, housing advanced fermentation capacity, multiple GMP production suites, and automated fill and finish lines. VGXI’s scale, combined with a proven regulatory track record, allows it to support both global commercialization efforts and customized development needs.
Insights from the Panel
During the CGT Asia panel, a shared theme among all participants was the difficulty of navigating current market conditions. According to Jeff Whitmore, there was consensus that nearly all layers are under pressure, making it even more important to focus on programs with solid development and launch potential.
“There was a sense of realism in the room,” Jeff recalled. “People were trying to survive the current environment and find reliable ways to scale their therapies. That is exactly where we can help.”
“We have got the space, we have got the experience, and we are looking for exciting technologies that want to come to North America.”
Jeff also emphasized VGXI’s openness to collaboration, particularly with developers who are looking to enter the U.S. market. Whether through full scale GMP manufacturing or early development support, VGXI acts as a flexible and experienced partner.
“We are open to partnering in lots of ways,” Jeff said. “We have the space, we have the experience, and we are actively looking for exciting technologies that want to come to North America.”
Building a Global Future, Together
VGXI’s participation in the 3rd Cell & Gene Therapy Research & Development Congress: Asia reaffirmed a key strategic insight: cell and gene therapies are inherently global, but their success often depends on navigating complex regional differences in manufacturing, regulation, and commercialization. For APAC developers, partnering with an experienced U.S. based CDMO can be the difference between promising research and market ready reality.
“This is a global effort,” Jeff concluded. “And there are plenty of folks in Asia we can support.”
VGXI remains committed to serving as that bridge, connecting APAC innovation with the infrastructure, quality standards, and regulatory expertise needed for clinical and commercial success in the United States.
Stay tuned for the next edition of our Global Capabilities Series, where we continue to highlight how VGXI is supporting the next wave of biopharmaceutical breakthroughs from Houston to the world.
To learn more about how VGXI can support your APAC-to-U.S. program, visit www.vgxii.com.
Panelists after presenting at the “Navigating Commercialization and Investment in Cell and Gene Therapies in Asia” panel.
