Lonza invests in Singapore to support growth in mammalian biologics
The addition of new technology, alongside the increase in capacity and headcount of the development services team in Singapore, will provide a comprehensive offering for small- and large-scale GMP mammalian manufacturing services and cell therapy capabilities, said the contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO).
Current laboratory capabilities are being expanded, with a new 1,800m2 laboratory at Singapore Science Park; the investment will also increase the headcount across the Tuas and Singapore Science Park laboratories to 125 employees.
Companies in the Asia region are looking to partners to help address specific needs and guide them towards an IND or BLA filing from early development stages, noted Lonza.
There is a huge focus on complex molecule development in the region, and such R&D work needs the latest technology for mammalian process and analytical development, which this investment has realized, it said.
Its Singapore team now has the capability to perform extensive characterization of biopharmaceuticals using mass spectrometry. Lonza said the expansion will also ensure it can address anticipated market growth in complex protein formats.
Drug product manufacturing in China
The spend in Singapore follows the Swiss group’s announcement in August that it is to install a new drug product fill and finish manufacturing line at its Guangzhou site in China to support the filling of liquid and lyophilized products.
That installation is expected to be completed in 2022, and the move sees drug product (DP) manufacturing capacity being established for clinical trial and commercial supply in China.
Jeff Li, vice president of commercial development, Lonza, told BioPharma-Reporter, that month:
“The installation of the DP manufacturing line marks a significant milestone towards our long-term goal of increasing drug product capacity, both locally and globally. Most domestic projects need drug product manufacturing, as this is driven by local regulations. Regarding local DP demand, we see booming market needs, which are driven by commercial drugs launching in China in the future.”
