Sanofi and Lonza will invest €270 million (CHF 290 million) in a mammalian cell culture site for monoclonal antibody production in Swiss town of Visp, planned for opening in 2020.
Lonza, one of the world’s leading suppliers to the pharmaceutical, biotech and specialty ingredients markets, has previously built and licensed three similar facilities in the U.S. and Singapore.
Approximately sixty percent of Sanofi’s pipeline is made up of biologics, including monoclonal antibodies, dedicated disease areas such as cardiovascular, immunology and inflammation, neurology and oncology.
“In addition to the investments we are making in building our own internal production capabilities, the joint venture between Sanofi and Lonza emphasizes our commitment to provide access for patients to high quality therapeutic monoclonal antibodies,” said Philippe Luscan, Executive Vice President, Global Industrial Affairs, Sanofi.
Marc Funk, COO Pharma & Biotech, Lonza, said: “By entering into this long-term strategic relationship we have developed a tailor-made business model that best fits both Sanofi’s and Lonza’s requirements. It provides to Sanofi dedicated capacity, which allows for a clear win-win situation for all participants.”
The deal will enable Sanofi to have additional access to bio-manufacturing capacity to back up its portfolio of biologic therapeutic products, if necessary, while Lonza will be free to market their share of capacity, if not required by Sanofi, and will also market unused Sanofi capacity, where available. Furthermore, Lonza will construct the facility and will support the joint venture in its operation of the facility.