In a series of recent strategic moves, Lonza, the prominent Swiss Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), is making headlines. After announcing a substantial expansion of their operations that is set to generate approximately 200 job opportunities, Lonza has now disclosed an extended partnership with a prominent biopharmaceutical collaborator, whose identity remains confidential.
Under this newly forged agreement, Lonza is set to construct a dedicated, large-scale filling line at their facility in Stein, Switzerland. This advanced production line will cater to the aseptic filling of “highly potent” antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and the process of lyophilization under stringent containment measures. By undertaking this initiative, Lonza is poised to significantly enhance its capabilities in the commercial and clinical supply of specialized cancer medications. The company also anticipates adding around 115 positions as a part of this endeavor, as revealed in their Friday press release.
This development follows Lonza’s earlier groundbreaking ceremony in January, marked by an investment commitment of approximately 500 million Swiss francs (equivalent to roughly $555 million). The Stein facility, scheduled to commence operations in 2026, will represent Lonza’s inaugural large-scale commercial drug product manufacturing hub.
Lonza has projected the inauguration of the new filling line by 2027. In an earlier announcement made in early October, Lonza unveiled the extension of a “long-term collaboration” with another undisclosed “major global biopharmaceutical partner.” It remains unclear whether these expanded collaborations pertain to the same biopharma partner.
Also Read: Lonza To Boost ADC Production Capacity And Hire 180 New Staff
One of their initial projects seeks to ramp up the production of ADCs for commercial distribution and includes plans for establishing two state-of-the-art bioconjugation suites at Lonza’s Visp site in Switzerland.
These developments signify a dynamic period for Lonza, underscoring the company’s resilience despite the recent departure of its CEO, Pierre-Alain Ruffieux. In the preceding month, Lonza and bluebird bio restructured their 2016 production contract, granting Lonza greater authority in boosting manufacturing capabilities for bluebird’s gene therapies Zynteglo and Skysona.
Prior to this, Vertex and Lonza formed a partnership focused on process development and scale-up for Vertex’s portfolio of stem-cell-derived, fully-differentiated insulin-producing islet cell therapies. Both entities have also committed to co-investing in a novel facility in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which Lonza will manage with a workforce of 300 personnel.
