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08/02/2007
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| Lonza Invests in Innovative Technology for its Biopharma Portfolio |
Basel, 02.08.2007 – Lonza broadens further its technology base by investing in AggreSolve™, an innovative technology used for the selection and development of biopharmaceuticals. Effective 31 July 2007 Lonza has acquired all assets relating to the AggreSolve™ Technology and Services business of Zyentia Ltd. The purchase price was not disclosed.
The technology will be incorporated into Lonza Biopharmaceuticals Mammalian R&D business unit, forming a new function entitled Advanced Protein Technologies. This function will be headed by Dr Jesús Zurdo, one of the original inventors of the technology and will continue to operate out of its current laboratories based in Cambridge UK. The site will consist of up to 186 m2 and is located at the new Meditrina building on the Babraham Research Campus.
The acquisition of this business is in line with the planned expansion and diversification of the technology toolbox within LBP’s Mammalian R&D Business unit. AggreSolve™ is a key emerging technology supporting Lonza’s ongoing plan to incorporate “Quality by Design” directly at the molecular level with the overall aim of improving product quality, safety and manufacturability.
AggreSolve™ is a comprehensive in silico protein analysis platform that can be applied to solving the problems posed by protein aggregation. AggreSolve™ was developed in collaboration with scientists at the University of Cambridge and has applications in the selection and development of biopharmaceuticals.
The key capabilities of the AggreSolve™ platform are:
• Screening of proteins to predict aggregation problems
• Prediction of sequence changes likely to reduce aggregation
• Design of aggregation inhibitors and stabilizers
“We are excited having this new technology in our portfolio as it brings our R&D services one step further. AggreSolve™ will be made available worldwide for the benefit of our customers”, said Dr Stephan Kutzer, Head of Lonza Biopharmaceuticals.
Dr David Glover, Chairman of Zyentia Ltd said “We consider Lonza to be the ideal purchaser of AggreSolve™ and look forward to hearing of its future successes in biopharmaceuticals”.
About Lonza
Lonza is one of the world's leading suppliers to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science industries. Its products and services span its customers’ needs from research to final product manufacture. Lonza is the global leader in the production and support of active pharmaceutical ingredients both chemically as well as biotechnologically. Biopharmaceuticals are one of the key growth drivers of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Lonza has strong capabilities in large and small molecules, peptides, amino acids and niche bioproducts which play an important role in the development of novel medicines and healthcare products. Lonza is a leader in cell-based research, endotoxin detection and cell therapy manufacturing. Lonza is also a leading provider of value chemical and biotech ingredients to the nutrition, hygiene, preservation, agro and personal care markets.
Lonza is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange. In 2006, Lonza had sales of CHF 2.91 billion. Further information can be found at www.lonza.com.
About Zyentia
Zyentia Ltd is a biotech company active in the development of products against diseases caused by protein misfolding and aggregation. After the sale of its AggreSolve™ platform to Lonza, Zyentia will be exploring potential partnerships for its three drug discovery programs in Type 2 Diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Zyentia registered address is based in Cambridge UK. Further information about Zyentia is available at www.zyentia.com
For further information:
Investor / Media Relations Lonza
Margot Connor
Tel +41 61 316 8566
Fax +41 61 316 9566
margot.connor@lonza.com
Media Relations Lonza
Dominik Werner
Tel +41 61 316 8798
Fax +41 61 316 9798
dominik.werner@lonza.com
Investor Relations Lonza
Alexandre Pasini
Tel +41 61 316 8835
Fax +41 61 316 9835
alexandre.pasini@lonza.com
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