Meet our founders: A conversation with Nick Bova on Specialty Pharmaceuticals

Nick Bova together with his father

At Vimian, we partner with visionary entrepreneurs who drive innovation in animal health. We sat down with Nick Bova, founder of Bova, to discuss his journey from running a family-owned retail pharmacy to becoming an integral part of Vimian's Specialty Pharma segment (Nextmune). Learn how his passion for veterinary medicine led to the creation of a business that has transformed veterinary care across Australia, UK and beyond.

Tell us about your journey and how you became part of Vimian.
My journey started in the world of retail pharmacy, working in my father’s pharmacy in Sydney, Australia. After becoming a pharmacist in 2008, I quickly realised that traditional retail pharmacy wasn’t where my passion lay. I was always on the lookout for something different, and that’s when I discovered the process of specialty pharmaceuticals that is tailor-made for individual patients. It sparked something in me, especially when I saw the potential it had in the veterinary space.

After visiting the US and seeing how far ahead they were with specialty pharmaceuticals, I knew that there was a huge opportunity to bring these innovations back to Australia. I decided to focus solely on veterinary medicine, which was relatively unexplored in Australia at the time. Bova grew to become the largest veterinary compounder in the country, serving the majority of vets across Australia by the time Nextmune and Vimian acquired the company.

What inspired the creation and strategy behind Bova’s pharmaceuticals business?

Initially, my interest in veterinary medicine was driven by a business opportunity. In Australia, the human specialty pharmaceuticals market was saturated, and I didn’t want to be just another player fighting on price. The veterinary space, however, was wide open. I saw a need that wasn’t being met, and once I started working with veterinarians, I fell in love with the work.

The variety and complexity of specialty pharmaceuticals for veterinary applications fascinated me – from creating medications for zoo animals like elephants and dolphins to helping pets with unique needs. The gratitude from veterinarians and pet owners was incredibly rewarding. It wasn’t long before this became more than just a business venture; it became a passion for solving problems and meeting an unmet need in the veterinary world.

And how did you eventually come into contact with Vimiam and decide to sell?
It was during the pandemic, while I was in hotel quarantine in Sydney, that I had my first call with Vimian's Specialty Pharma team. I was introduced to them through Veterinary Services, another Vimian segment, as Bova supplies their member clinics in Australia. I had been approached by brokers about selling my UK business before, but previous experiences with potential buyers had left me cautious. However, from my first call with with the Vimian team, I felt that this was different. They were genuine and followed through on everything they promised, which was a refreshing change.

The process of selling Bova UK to Nextmune was smooth and positive, which eventually led to the acquisition of the Australian business as well. Now, I’m still the leading the Bova Group, which includes Bova Australia and Bova UK.

So after joining Nextmune and Vimian, how has your business been impacted and what role do you play today?
Joining Vimian has been transformative for Bova. I can continue running and expanding our operations in Australia and the UK. One of the most significant benefits of being part of a larger group like Vimian is the access to a broader network of professionals, from finance to sales and marketing. It’s great to have a team to collaborate with and not feel like I’m navigating the challenges alone.

We’ve also been able to make strategic investments that wouldn’t have been possible on our own, like acquiring a new manufacturing facility in Australia shortly after joining Nextmune. While expanding into the US market has been a challenge, the support from Vimian has made it clear that such expansions are more achievable with their backing. But I also appreciate the autonomy I’ve been given to run the business. The team at Vimian is incredibly supportive, allowing me to manage Bova in a way that aligns with my vision, without being micromanaged.

Reflecting on your journey, what do you see for the future of Bova and Vimian?Looking ahead, I’d love to see Bova evolve into a fully-fledged pharmaceutical business. Currently, Bova’s products are compounded, which means they’re unlicensed and have certain limitations in terms of marketing and distribution. My goal is to take our most successful compounded products, go through the licensing process, and bring them to a global market.

Licensed products would allow us to scale much more effectively and meet the growing demand for high-quality veterinary medicines. This would be an exciting step forward, not just for Bova, but for the entire Vimian.

Joining Vimian has been a positive and exciting chapter in Bova’s story. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved so far and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead. Working alongside a group that shares my passion for innovation and animal health is incredibly motivating. I’m excited to see where we can take this journey together.