Israel Biotech Fund (IBF), a venture fund investing in Israeli and Israeli-related biotech companies, and Lonza, a global development and manufacturing partner to the pharma, biotech and nutrition industries, entered an agreement whereby Lonza will add value to IBF through pre-investment due diligence support and offer IBF’s portfolio companies with tailored services for the development and manufacturing of biologics and small molecules. IBF will provide Lonza with access to IBF’s portfolio companies and broad network in the biotech industry in Israel.
 
The agreement aims to broaden the scope of services provided by Lonza to pharmaceutical companies in Israel and to support the unique needs of these companies looking to simplify and de-risk the development of their molecules. This is particularly relevant to the Israeli biotech industry, where the number of biotech start-ups established every year has averaged 150 in the last decade.¹
 
The offering includes Lonza’s expertise and technology to help accelerate timelines while mitigating risks of developing and manufacturing molecules ranging from monoclonal antibodies, complex proteins, and small molecules to antibody-drug conjugates. The integrated approach to drug substance and drug product development and manufacturing across various platforms significantly simplifies the supply chain, reduces process complexity, and allows for shortened development timelines.
 
Pnina Weitz, Global Head of Venture Capital Business Development and Relationship Management, Lonza, said, “We chose to collaborate with IBF, a leading investment fund in Israel, due to their unique investment strategy, broad network and approach. We are excited to implement this framework agreement that will provide IBF and their portfolio companies with services and expertise across multiple modalities. IBF’s network will allow Lonza to benefit from these connections and offer services and expertise across multiple modalities. Lonza’s customized and scalable solutions in the development and manufacture of both biologics and small molecules will allow these companies to leverage our global network and experience and focus on what they do best – developing innovative and transformative treatments.”
 
Ido Zairi, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Israel Biotech Fund, added, “Lonza is a leading and reputative global manufacturer, and we are excited to collaborate with them. The unique business model offered by the collaboration agreement will provide Lonza with broad access to the Israeli market and allow our portfolio companies to leverage Lonza’s expertise and innovative business models. Such companies will benefit from a streamlined development and manufacturing process, allowing them to focus on research and development and pre-clinical studies.”