Lonza says the investment will establish drug product manufacturing capabilities at its facility in Guangzhou, China.

Swiss contract development manufacturing organization (CDMO) will install an aseptic fill-finish manufacturing line at its 17,000 square-foot mammalian facility, which began operations in Q2 2021.

“With this drug product manufacturing line completed, Lonza represents a complete solution provider to the China market with a special focus on pre-clinical and clinical projects,” said Jeff Li, VP of Commercial Development, Lonza.

Lonza’s facility in Guangzhou, China. Image c/o Lonza

“This drug product line and current Guangzhou facility is also able to support commercial manufacture and global drop-in projects.”

According to the CDMO, the line will significantly increase the facility’s capabilities and will enable them to support global and domestic clients with supply for clinical trials and commercial batches in China.

“The single package for drug substance and drug product fulfills the local regulatory requirements and provides a one-stop shop for manufacturing mammalian biologics,” Li told us.

More than 150 jobs

The fill-finish line will support the filling of lyophilized and liquid products and is anticipated to be completed in 2022 and is expected to create more than 150 jobs at the site over the next few years/

“The recruitment strategy will focus on hiring experts in various fields, ranging from manufacturing, quality, supply chain etc., to provide a holistic approach to fulfilling the hiring needs,” Li said.

To support the installation of the drug product fill-finish line, Lonza plans to increase the footprint of its global drug product services hub located in Basel, Switzerland with Li telling us “more information regarding Lonza’s plans will be available in due course.”

No financial details were disclosed.