Lonza Extends Collaboration with Major Biopharmaceutical Partner for Large-Scale Monoclonal Antibody Commercial Supply

Lonza Group AG / Key word(s): Agreement/Development of Sales

16-Jul-2021 / 07:00 CET/CEST
Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• Long-term collaboration for commercial supply of monoclonal antibodies will complete the integrated supply chain for the manufacture of an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) for use against hard-to-treat cancers
• The deal enables the customer to access commercial-scale production of all elements of its ADC at one site, ensuring security of supply and delivering significant economies of scale. It demonstrates the value of Lonza's Ibex^(R) Solutions, providing customers with fast, flexible and tailor-made solutions 
• The monoclonal antibody manufacturing process will be delivered from Lonza's recently announced large-scale facility currently under construction in Visp (CH)

Basel, Switzerland, 16 July 2021 - Lonza, a CDMO partner to the biopharma industry, today announced the extension of its collaboration with a major biopharmaceutical partner for the commercial-scale manufacture of monoclonal antibodies, under a long-term agreement. At scale, and following product approval, the agreement will absorb a significant proportion of the capacity of the large-scale mammalian asset under construction in Visp, which will accommodate six 20,000L bioreactors. Together with other customers, approximately 75% of the facility's available capacity is now reserved.

The announcement marks the significant development of an existing customer relationship where Lonza already provides highly potent payload, drug-linker and conjugation services. The large-scale supply of monoclonal antibodies reflects further supply chain simplification and the commercialization of a process already established within the Lonza network.

Jean-Christophe Hyvert, President, Biologics and Cell & Gene Divisions, Lonza, commented: 'This expanded customer relationship truly exemplifies our value and capabilities as a strategic partner on the path to commercialization. We can offer an integrated and simplified supply chain, which provides security of supply and delivers economies of scale. We are proud to expand our partnership to deliver the commercial supply of this important class of molecule at our Ibex^(R) biopark, which will help treat patients suffering from cancer.'

Charles Christy, Director, Commercial Solutions, Lonza, added: 'This deal reinforces the speed and flexibility of the Ibex^(R) Solutions concept. Having supported the development of the customer's ADC from clinical trials towards commercial approval, we are pleased to continue to support our customer as this latest key molecule moves towards commercial manufacture. This growing partnership is built on trust, service, delivery and supply chain simplification, with all the critical elements for our customer's ADC manufactured at a single site.'

ADCs are bioconjugates and represent an innovative therapeutic modality that is growing rapidly and providing effective therapies to patients with reduced side effects. ADCs usually combine an antibody with a highly-potent payload (via a linker molecule) to target cancer cells. The antibody serves as the delivery method to target the toxic drug precisely to cancer cells, limiting toxicity to healthy cells.

Lonza has developed the expertise and technology to de-risk the development and manufacturing of bioconjugates and supports the majority of commercially approved ADCs. Lonza offers all elements of the complex supply chain, including the production of biomolecule, synthetic payload, linker and subsequent conjugation at its Visp (CH) site.

For more information on Ibex^(R) Solutions: https://pharma.lonza.com/offerings/specialized-capabilities/ibex

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 five 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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