Lonza began the expansion of its bioconjugation facility in Visp, Switzerland together with the successful commercial approval of a third antibody-drug-conjugate (ADC) produced at the site. Lonza’s expansion aims to meet the development and manufacturing needs of pharma and biotech companies developing a new generation of therapies.
  
Increasing demand from customers has prompted Lonza to commence an expansion that will span the next two years. The additional capacity, with contracts already in place, will provide current and future customers with launch and commercial manufacturing and will serve the rapidly expanding early clinical phase market for bioconjugates.
 
Karen Fallen, Head of Mammalian and Microbial Development and Manufacturing, Lonza Pharma & Biotech said, “With 11 INDs completed, and now three out of five commercially available ADCs supported by our bioconjugation facility, we see the need to expand in readiness for the new wave of therapies our customers are developing. Many bioconjugates are on expedited programs and the existing expertise at the facility, combined with proximity to clinical and commercial manufacturing of antibody, linkers and payload, will reduce risk and increase speed on the path to market.”
 
Thomas Rohrer, Head of Commercial Development Bioconjugates, Lonza Pharma & Biotech said, “A high proportion of bioconjugates we deal with have accelerated approval and this latest approval was no exception. Meeting the tight deadlines of fast-tracked molecules requires seamless teamwork with the client and close collaboration to deliver the successful validation work required for launch of life-saving medications.”