Lonza, through its Bioscience Division, and Sanquin Reagents, have entered a strategic partnership for the commercialization of a range of specialized reagents for pyrogen testing of parenteral pharmaceuticals and medical devices using the Monocyte Activation Test (MAT). This partnership expands Lonza’s portfolio of endotoxin testing products, and enables drug developers and quality control (QC) labs to explore the full potential of the high-performing, sustainable MAT method to bring safe pharmaceuticals to the market.



MAT does not involve the use of experimental animals and enables QC labs to comply with stringent animal welfare regulations and meet sustainability objectives. Being a highly sensitive in vitro human cell-based assay, the MAT is capable of consistently detecting pyrogenic activity in even the most complex pharmaceuticals, such as vaccines and cell- and antibody-based biologics.



Under the new agreement, cryopreserved pooled human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) produced by Sanquin specifically for use with the MAT will be branded by Lonza. Lonza will further distribute the Sanquin-branded PeliKine compact ELISA Kits that have been validated for use with the MAT assay. Together with Lonza’s testing hardware, media and accessory offering, drug developers and QC laboratories will now have a comprehensive and optimized MAT solution in line with regulatory requirements.