Lonza Announces Agreement to Manufacture AstraZeneca's COVID-19 Long-Acting Antibody Combination
- The agreement will provide capacity for the manufacturing of AZD7442, currently being developed for the potential prevention and treatment of COVID-19
- cGMP manufacturing of the two long-acting antibodies to begin in H1 2021 at Lonza's Portsmouth, NH (USA) site
Quote from Jean-Christophe Hyvert, Chief Commercial Officer, Lonza:
"Given the threats posed from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, advancing options for prevention and treatment are of crucial importance. Our team is extremely motivated to welcome AstraZeneca as one of the first projects in our new mid-scale facility in Portsmouth, NH. The new facility will provide AstraZeneca with the flexibility and the speed needed to manufacture AZD7442 on accelerated timelines."
Basel, Switzerland, 30 October 2020 - Lonza announced today that the company has signed an agreement with AstraZeneca to manufacture AZD7442, a combination of two long-acting antibodies (LAABs) for the potential prevention and treatment of COVID-19. AZD7442 is currently in Phase I clinical studies and AstraZeneca plans to advance the LAAB combination into Phase 3 trials in the coming weeks.
The agreement enables AstraZeneca to leverage Lonza's extensive antibody manufacturing expertise, as well as QC testing, regulatory competence, and experience with accelerated manufacturing campaigns.
Under the terms of the agreement, Lonza will manufacture drug substance (DS) for AZD7442 at Lonza's facilities in Portsmouth (US). Operations are expected to start in H1 2021.
AstraZeneca will be one of the first companies to access Lonza's new mid-scale facilities in Portsmouth, NH (USA). With operations starting later this year, the new hybrid facility combines the cost efficiencies of mid-scale stainless steel bioreactors with disposable downstream technology for flexibility and speed. Automation and process analytic technology also open up the possibilities for real-time data sharing and transparency.
About Lonza
At Lonza, we combine technological innovation with world class manufacturing and process excellence. Together, these enable our customers to deliver their discoveries in the healthcare, preservation, and protection sectors.
We are a preferred global partner to the pharmaceutical, biotech and specialty ingredients markets. We work to prevent illness and promote a healthier world by enabling our customers to deliver innovative medicines that help treat or even cure a wide range of diseases. We also offer a broad range of microbial control solutions, which help to create and maintain a healthy environment.
Founded in 1897 in the Swiss Alps, Lonza today operates in 120 sites and offices in more than 35 countries. With approximately 15,500 full-time employees, we are built from high-performing teams and of individual employees who make a meaningful difference to our own business, as well as the communities in which we operate. The company generated sales of CHF 5.9 billion in 2019 with a CORE EBITDA of CHF 1.6 billion. Find out more at www.lonza.com and follow us on Twitter @LonzaGroup or Facebook @LonzaGroupAG.
Lonza Contact Details
Dr. Sanna Fowler Lonza Group Ltd Tel +41 61 316 8929 sanna.fowler@lonza.com | |
Dirk Oehlers Lonza Group Ltd Tel +41 79 421 1609 dirk.oehlers@lonza.com |
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Lonza Group Ltd has its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. It has a secondary listing on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited ("SGX-ST"). Lonza Group Ltd is not subject to the SGX-ST's continuing listing requirements but remains subject to Rules 217 and 751 of the SGX-ST Listing Manual.
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