At Bionova Scientific, quality is more than a checklist—it’s a promise.

This promise ensures the delivery of safe, effective, and life-saving medicines with integrity, consistency, and care. With the official launch of its Quality Culture Initiative on December 11, 2024, Bionova has taken a bold step toward embedding this mindset into every aspect of its operations, from development through commercialization.

The initiative reframes the conversation around quality. It is not about compliance for the sake of compliance but about creating value for their clients, their teams, and ultimately, the patients who depend on them.

“When asked how many employees in the Quality organization Bionova Scientific has, I never give the number of people in my reporting line—but rather the number of all employees in the company because everyone contributes to quality,” said Carolina Valoyes, Sr. Vice President of Quality and Compliance at Bionova Scientific.

One thing that’s been recognized is that quality is often perceived as tedious or strictly technical. Bionova is working on changing that. The launch event held by Bionova included interactive learning stations, a scavenger hunt, and team-building activities to bring quality principles to life in a hands-on, collaborative, and fun way.

One of the most thoughtful and engaging moments came from John Barbey, Director of Qualification and Engineering Compliance at Bionova, who shared the following message tying together food, history, and his version of the purpose that quality plays:

I’ve been asked to provide instructions on lunch and to remind everyone to sign the Quality Policy, but before I tell you all how to eat, I want to share with you how today’s meal came to be and how it relates to Quality.

Today’s dish comes from the Greeks, or is it the Chinese or, the Persians, or Italians? I’m not sure where pizza first came from, but it is one of my favorite debates as well as a meal.

The word Pizza might have been first heard around 997 AD, stemming from the Greek word Pitta, which means pie, but it likely didn’t reflect what we eat today. So, where did pizza come from? Let me share some debatable history and its road map to a quality pie…

The Venetian merchant Marco Polo’s 13th-century travels led him to China, where he first ate a scallion pancake. Legend has it that he loved it so much that upon his return to Italy, he convinced the bakers to recreate the dish. Through continuous improvement—taking in the many diverse cultural adaptations from the Chinese scallion pancake, the Greeks’ & Persians’ flatbreads, and the Italians’ brilliance of adding toppings—the 16th century residents of Naples perfected the dish, giving us a quality Neapolitan pizza that stands the test of time.

So… Why pizza on Quality Culture Day? Well… It’s simple. Aside from pizza being the quality meal capturing all five essential food groups into one tasty bite, like the bakers of Naples, a quality mindset is essential for the creation and continuous improvement of a lasting medicine. Here at Bionova Scientific, we bring our cultural backgrounds and experiences to continuously improve the Quality of our process.

Now, how to eat the pizza… There are many ways to eat pizza… cover it with your favorite toppings… add a little honey, a little ranch, maybe some Cholula. I like to stuff it with salad and fold it over, or just pick it up and take a bite. One thing is for certain… There is no wrong way to eat pizza.

Take some time to sign the Quality Policy during lunch to mark your commitment to Quality on Bionova Scientific’s inaugural Quality Culture Day!

That said… Kali Orexi, chuh-how-huh-how, Nooshe jan, Maje Karo, Buen provecho, Meshiagare, Buon appetito, enjoy!!!

Bionova Scientific’s Quality Culture Initiative is just getting underway, and its long-term vision is already taking shape. With several key programs launched and more on the horizon, the company is laying the groundwork for a quality culture that is deeply rooted, engaging, and sustainable.

In October 2024, Bionova introduced the Pizza Lab, an instructor-led Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) training that reimagines quality education through the lens of pizza-making. This creative approach brought GMP principles to life in a hands-on, relatable way, helping team members connect technical knowledge to everyday decision-making in a fun and memorable format.

Most recently, in March 2025, Bionova kicked off its first quarterly “Quality Talk,” a new series that provides a platform for employees to share insights, stories, and lessons learned around quality. These sessions are designed to promote open dialogue, strengthen cross-functional understanding, and foster a sense of shared purpose across the organization.

Looking ahead, the company plans to introduce a Process Improvement Toolbox in June 2025. This initiative will offer teams a curated set of practical tools to help identify inefficiencies, streamline operations, and implement sustainable improvements across workflows. By empowering employees with resources to take the initiative, Bionova reinforces quality as a shared responsibility.

Bionova is also rolling out regular newsletters, employee surveys, and recognition events throughout the year to maintain momentum and keep quality at the forefront of its mind. These efforts serve not only to inform and engage but also to celebrate contributions and gather feedback—ensuring the initiative remains both collaborative and responsive.

Together, these programs reflect Bionova Scientific’s belief that quality is not a one-time achievement but an ongoing journey. By investing in education, communication, and continuous improvement, the company is building a culture where quality becomes second nature—and a lasting source of pride.