Lonza Announces High-Quality Cryopreserved Leukopaks for More Flexibility in Immunology and Cell Therapy Research

• Lonza now offers fully customizable cryopreserved Leukopaks to biopharmaceutical researchers across the globe
• Using a controlled rate freezing process, these cryopreserved Leukopaks have a significantly longer shelf life than fresh Leukopaks, enabling stable, long-distance shipping and more convenient access to high-quality leukapheresis products
• Cryopreserved Leukopaks remove the risk and costs associated with donor cancellations or changes to experimental schedules

Quote from Andrew Winner, Product Manager, Lonza Bioscience:

“The short viability window of fresh Leukopaks means researchers are at the mercy of donor and shipping schedules – and any logistical delays can wreak havoc on project costs and the quality of research results. By offering cryopreserved Leukopaks, we are expanding our ability to deliver high-viability cell products internationally, and the rapid availability of stored cryopreserved Leukopaks means our customers are better able to adhere to uncompromising research timelines.”

Basel, Switzerland, 28 January 2021 – Lonza has expanded its renowned human primary cell offerings with the launch of fully customizable, high-quality cryopreserved Leukopaks. The frozen Leukopaks will enable long-distance shipping of leukapheresis products without the concern of reduced cell viability encountered with fresh Leukopaks. Being suitable for long-term storage in research labs, the cryopreserved Leukopaks will also allow immediate access to viable cells for greater convenience and workflow flexibility. The cryopreserved Leukopaks come in a range of sizes, and multiple donor characteristics and testing options are available through a unique costing structure that allows customers to only pay for the customization that they need.

A Leukopak is an enriched leukapheresis-derived product containing high concentrations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells like T cells, B cells and monocytes. Such cells are a critical raw material in immunotherapy research and for optimizing cell therapy process development before progressing to full clinical manufacture. However, fresh Leukopaks can be hard to access and must be used rapidly to avoid cell degradation. International transportation options are thus severely limited, and logistical delays or donor cancellations can have catastrophic impacts on research costs and quality. Cryopreserved Leukopaks allow reliable global shipping while maintaining cell viability and functionality, and the ability to thaw cryopreserved Leukopaks when needed means researchers are better able to plan ahead for more cost-efficient therapy development.

Lonza’s cryopreserved Leukopaks are available in a range of sizes, including packs of 2.5, 5 and 9.5 billion cells, which can be subdivided into separate smaller bags for greater convenience. Specific donor characteristics like age, gender and Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) type are also available, with a wide range of recallable donors and several product testing options. Customization follows a unique, tailored pricing structure, where customers only pay for the customization they require. Customers will also have access to Lonza’s globally renowned technical support services to facilitate optimized product usage and greater research success.

To find out more about Lonza’s cryopreserved Leukopak offerings, please click here.

 About Lonza

Lonza is the preferred global partner to the pharmaceutical, biotech and nutrition markets. We work to prevent illness and enable a healthier world by supporting our customers to deliver new and innovative medicines that help treat a wide range of diseases. We achieve this by combining technological insight with world-class manufacturing, scientific expertise and process excellence. These enable our customers to commercialize their discoveries and innovations in the healthcare sector.

Founded in 1897 in the Swiss Alps, today Lonza operates across three continents. With approximately 14,000 full-time employees, we are built from high-performing teams and of individual talent who make a meaningful difference to our own business, as well as to the communities in which we operate. The company generated sales of CHF 4.5 billion in 2020 with a CORE EBITDA of CHF 1.4 billion. Find out more at www.lonza.com

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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.

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