Lonza Acquires UCB's Bioproducts Manufacturing Division

17/01/06 Lonza, a global peptide custom manufacturer, has acquired the Bioproducts manufacturing division of UCB (“Bioproducts”) for €120 million. UCB-Bioproducts has been active in chemical peptide manufacturing for over 20 years, and has developed considerable capabilities and expertise during this period. This division, with approximately 300 employees, is located in Braine-l'Alleud just outside of Brussels.

Lonza said that the acquisition further strengthens its position as a worldwide leader in custom peptide manufacturing by continuing to develop the Braine l’Alleud site as a global center of excellence for the development and manufacturing of peptides. Lonza has participated in peptide production since 1997. Both companies are very well acknowledged in the worldwide market and have expertise in peptide manufacturing

The expertise in liquid phase technology developed by Bioproducts complements Lonza’s existing skills in peptide production, with a focus on large-scale solid phase peptide synthesis, and recombinant fermentation production. There are three current technologies available to produce peptides: liquid phase peptide synthesis, solid phase peptide synthesis and recombinant technology. The first two are chemical syntheses and the third is microbial fermentation. By merging the businesses, Lonza will be the only contract manufacturer with a historically successful track record of providing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) from any of the three peptide technologies.

Lonza is now capable of providing the market with additional capacity quickly. This acquisition provides Lonza with another global site to serve its customer base, in addition to the three sites, in Switzerland, the United States and Czech Republic, thus significantly reducing customers’ sourcing risks.
.
“This transaction is another strategic move towards UCB’s quest of becoming a global biopharmaceutical leader focusing on research, development, and commercialisation of therapeutic solutions for severe diseases. The reputation and strategic focus of Lonza as a leading contract manufacturer, will enable the Bioproducts division to further strengthen its leading position and join a group focused on custom manufacturing with whom UCB has several other long term manufacturing relationships”, Roch Doliveux, Chief Executive Officer of UCB said.