Lonza doubles bioconjugation capacity at Swiss facility

Lonza is expanding the plant by 2,000 square-meters, which the additions expected to be operational by 2028, generating more than 200 jobs in the region. According to the firm, the suites are designed to run the increasingly complex and variable processes needed to manufacture antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and other bioconjugates. Through this addition, the firm will support drug product manufacturing for early phase clinical trials and commercial supply. 

“We continue to see strong growth in the bioconjugates space as ADCs and other bioconjugate drugs increasingly progress towards commercialization,” said Christian Morello, head of bioconjugates, Lonza. 

“This investment in our multipurpose commercial bioconjugation capacity addresses the growing market demand, enables us to support the growth of our customers, and offers a flexible and integrated service for manufacturing bioconjugates.” 

ADCs are a class of biopharmaceutical drugs designed as a targeted therapy for treating cancer and other diseases. Unlike chemotherapy, for example, ADCs target and kill tumor cells while sparing healthy cells. 

Earlier this year, the Swiss CDMO identified ADCs as one of its three key areas of investment. Lonza has been working in bioconjugation since 2006 and is publicly named as having worked on the majority of approved ADC products. 

In October 2023, the firm extended collaboration with an undisclosed “major pharmaceutical partner” for mass-scale production of ADCs at the facility. The partnership aimed at significantly increasing bioconjugation capacity for its “undisclosed partner” by adding two suites for the commercial supply of ADCs at Lonza’s facility. At the time, the firm added 1,500 square meters. The suites are expected to be operational by 2026 and will generate more than 180 new job opportunities. 

The CDMO added bioconjugation capacity to its Visp facility in September 2022. Lonza completed the expansion of its Highly Potent API (HPAPI) to support the full development and production pipeline from clinical studies to commercial supply of ADC payloads at the facility.