Lonza to Invest in Expanding Biologics Capacity at US Site

Lonza Pharma & Biotech is investing in expansion of biologics manufacturing at its Portsmouth (USA) site focused on mid-scale mammalian capacity and addition of new celltherapy suites.

Lonza is installing multiple 6,000-litre bioreactors at the site to meet existing and new customers’ needs, with building expected to start in late 2018. Further expansion of mid-scale capacity is seen as a key area of growth by the Swiss-based manufacturer, driven by several factors including a favourable regulatory environment for developing products for niche indications. Lonza said its Portsmouth site is ideally placed for the addition of mid-scale capacity within their existing global network, which ranges from small, single-use bioreactors to large-scale assets.

With a strong focus on automation, Lonza is implementing full-suite process analytic technology (PAT) and advanced multi-variate analysis (MVA) to ensure consistent performance. The hybrid facility, which also incorporates state-of-the-art, single-use technologies for simplified processing, will be installed in an existing building.

“These new facilities have been designed specifically to deliver for our customers and their patients,” commented Marc Funk, COO Lonza Pharma & Biotech. “They will be enabled by cutting-edge technology developed with our R&D team and the decades of expertise at our Portsmouth site”.

In addition, Lonza is installing multiple cell-therapy suites at the Portsmouth site. In February 2018, the company established centres of excellence in cell and gene therapy across its network, placing Portsmouth as a clinical and commercial manufacturing centre in this emerging technology. The company’s customers will have access to facilities for phase I through to commercial manufacturing under one roof, expected to be fully operational by late 2018.