Lonza has announced the addition of two new Ibex Solutions offerings to Lonza’s 100,000 m2 biopark in Visp (CH). 

 

In July 2017 IbexTM Dedicate, a modular, technology-agnostic biomanufacturing concept, was launched as the first IbexTM Solutions offering. IbexTM Dedicate offers an innovative facility concept with reduced CAPEX and accelerated timelines, enabling speed to market or allowing biopharma companies to delay investment decisions to decrease financial risk.    

 

The two new Ibex Solutions, Ibex Design and Ibex Develop,  are designed to meet the evolving needs of biotech companies with antibody therapies, from the preclinical stage through to commercialization. Together with Ibex Dedicate, the new investment allows Lonza to offer complete product lifecycle management in one site.    

 

Ibex Design covers the early stages of creating a new biologic, from gene through to clinical phase I. The offering comprises a pioneering fixed-price gene-to-vial package with terms under which Lonza will deliver drug product based on at least 1 kg drug substance within 12 months. The package also includes the reservation of a manufacturing slot for clinical resupply. Ibex Design allows aspiring companies to start clinical trials earlier while reducing uncertainty.    

 

Ibex Develop helps companies seamlessly and rapidly transition from clinical phase II to commercialization. The offering enables biologics license applications (BLAs) to be submitted within 22 months from the start of process characterization. Eliminating the need for tech transfers, allowing process optimizations and creating operational efficiencies are expected to accelerate the path to market.    

 

“We looked at every step in the development and manufacturing process and asked how we could transform the path to commercialization for customers,” said Marc Funk, chief opperating officer of Lonza Pharma & Biotech. “The result strengthens our capabilities from the early stages of drug development all the way through to commercialization. It will help biotech companies deliver life-saving medicines to patients faster.”