Lonza Launches the PyroCell Monocyte Activation Test System for Reliable and Sustainable in vitro Pyrogen Testing

• Lonza expands upon their QC testing portfolio with the launch of the PyroCell™ MAT System, a highly sensitive and sustainable Monocyte Activation Test (MAT) suitable for detecting a broad range of pyrogens without the need for experimental animals

• The new offering combines Sanquin’s optimized MAT reagents and Lonza’s media and accessories, providing customers with a complete testing solution

• Drug developers in Europe and North America can now explore the full potential of a high-performing, sustainable MAT solution to help ensure safe products from early drug development to market release

  Orla Cloak, Director, Testing & Informatics Solutions, Lonza:
"Pharmaceutical and medical device industries are increasingly turning to more sustainable test methods for the accurate detection of pyrogenic contamination. In response to these market trends, we are very excited to expand our portfolio of sustainable testing solutions with the PyroCell™ MAT System, which will better support the customer’s needs during development and ensure product safety."

Basel, Switzerland, 1 October 2020 – Lonza Bioscience has announced today the commercial release of the PyroCell™ MAT System, a sustainable and reliable solution for in vitro pyrogen testing. The new offering expands upon Lonza’s experience in primary cells and endotoxin testing, combined with Sanquin’s expertise in MAT production, helping ensure the safety of parenteral pharmaceuticals during development, manufacture and product release.

The PyroCell™ MAT System provides advantages over existing methods for pyrogen detection in complex formulations, such as human vaccines and cell-based biologics. It provides sensitive pyrogen detection without the use of experimental animals, thereby supporting sustainability objectives while helping to deliver safe products to the market.

Through a collaboration with Sanquin Reagents B.V., Lonza’s PyroCell™ MAT System is comprised of pooled, cryopreserved Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) specifically developed for use with the MAT. These cryopreserved PyroCell™ Kit PBMCs eliminate the need to qualify blood donors and undertake cell isolation for each single test run. With the PyroCell™ MAT System, the cells can be available on demand whenever the need arises.

The PyroCell™ MAT System reagents can now be purchased throughout North America and Europe through Lonza’s comprehensive distribution network and sales support services.

For more information about the PyroCell™ MAT System, please visit www.lonza.com/mat. For additional information about Lonza’s complete bacterial endotoxin testing product offering, please visit https://bioscience.lonza.com/endotoxin-testing.

About Lonza
At Lonza, we combine technological innovation with world class manufacturing and process excellence. Together, these enable our customers to deliver their discoveries in the healthcare, preservation, and protection sectors.

We are a preferred global partner to the pharmaceutical, biotech and specialty ingredients markets. We work to prevent illness and promote a healthier world by enabling our customers to deliver innovative medicines that help treat or even cure a wide range of diseases. We also offer a broad range of microbial control solutions, which help to create and maintain a healthy environment.

Founded in 1897 in the Swiss Alps, Lonza today operates in 120 sites and offices in more than 35 countries. With approximately 15,500 full-time employees, we are built from high-performing teams and of individual employees who make a meaningful difference to our own business, as well as the communities in which we operate. The company generated sales of CHF 5.9 billion in 2019 with a CORE EBITDA of CHF 1.6 billion. Find out more at www.lonza.com and follow us on Twitter @LonzaGroup or Facebook @LonzaGroupAG.

About Sanquin
Sanquin is responsible for the safe and efficient supply of blood and blood products in the Netherlands on a not-for-profit basis. The company also develops and manufactures advanced transfusion pharmaceutical products, conducts high-quality scientific research and provides a multitude of diagnostic reagents and services for blood transfusion and immunology. Further information can be found at www.sanquin.org.

Additional Information and Disclaimer
Lonza Group Ltd has its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. It has a secondary listing on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited ("SGX-ST"). Lonza Group Ltd is not subject to the SGX-ST’s continuing listing requirements but remains subject to Rules 217 and 751 of the SGX-ST Listing Manual.

Certain matters discussed in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations and estimates of Lonza Group Ltd, although Lonza Group Ltd can give no assurance that these expectations and estimates will be achieved. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty and are qualified in their entirety. The actual results may differ materially in the future from the forward-looking statements included in this news release due to various factors. Furthermore, except as otherwise required by law, Lonza Group Ltd disclaims any intention or obligation to update the statements contained in this news release.