Lonza has extended its collaboration with a biopharma giant for the commercial-scale manufacture of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).
The agreement extension will expand the customer's bioconjugation footprint via the construction of a novel bioconjugation suite at Lonza's Visp site.
To fulfil the needs of the client, Lonza will provide commercial-scale monoclonal antibody (mAb) manufacturing services for a new ADC therapy.
Lonza's Visp bioconjugation site will enhance the company's manufacturing footpring by 800m2, supporting the manufacture, handling and containment of high-potency modalities.
Currently, the new suite is expected to be operational by 2027 — with 100 new jobs being created off the back of it.
The facility furthers Lonza's relationship with the customer, who already utilises the CDMO for the integrated supply of potent payload, drug-linker, commercial mAb manufacturing, DP filling for a specific ADC molecule and conjugation services.
Solid tumour-targeting ADC manufacture
Through the agreement's extension, Lonza will be implicated in the long-term manufacture of a new ADC targeting solid tumours.
The CDMO will manufacture the mAb at Lonza's biologics facility in Porriño, Spain — while the ADC will be conjugated at the Visp site.
By using targeted delivery to cancer cells while limiting toxicity to healthy tissues, Lonza will work with the client to transform treatment options for patients with cancer, while also bringing them hope.
Lonza's VP and Head of Bioconjugates, Christian Morello, commented: “The relationship with our valued partner has evolved over the years to incorporate all stages of bioconjugate manufacturing and commercialisation."
"Offering end-to-end ADC manufacturing services eliminates supply chain complexities and streamlines product delivery at scale. The extension of our collaboration reflects our ability to meet our customers’ needs with operational expertise, innovative solutions, and flexible business models.”
President of Biologics at Lonza, Jean-Christophe Hyvert, added: “Bioconjugates represent an exciting modality poised for substantial growth in the coming years driven by market demand, increased therapeutic efficacy, and access to novel disease targets."
"Our expanded relationship with this major biopharmaceutical company highlights the value of our services and our leading role in the global bioconjugates and ADC markets. The portfolio expansion is also a result of our network strategy, including our recent global expansion of large-scale commercial manufacturing capacity.”
[Image credit: Lonza]
