Lonza integrates Innovative Technology in its Protein Design Services Offering

Effective 2 November 2009 Lonza has acquired all shares of Algonomics including the proprietary Epibase, Epibase IV and Tripole technology platforms as well as the existing services business. The purchase price was not disclosed.

3 Nov 2009 --- Lonza has strengthened its protein design technology offering for biopharmaceutical development by acquiring Algonomics NV (Gent, Belgium). Algonomics is a contract research organisation providing integrated immunogenicity prediction services to support companies in the development of biotherapeutics. Effective 2 November 2009 Lonza has acquired all shares of Algonomics including the proprietary Epibase, Epibase IV and Tripole technology platforms as well as the existing services business. The purchase price was not disclosed.

“The acquisition of this business is in line with our goal to offer a compelling portfolio of services and technologies for the creation, optimization and development of advanced, best in class biopharmaceuticals”, said Janet White, Head of Lonza Development Services & Biologics R&D. “With the combined technologies of Lonza and Algonomics we can significantly strengthen our offering for our customers”.

The Epibase and Epibase IV platforms help to provide a solution to the problems of unwanted immunogenicity seen in many biopharmaceuticals. The Tripole technology platform supports Lonza’s aim to incorporate “Quality by Design” directly at the molecular level in order to improve the product quality, safety, efficacy and manufacturability of protein based drugs. In particular it adds further advanced in silico predictive services to Lonza’s technology offering and complements the existing AggreSolve platform offered by Lonza Advanced Protein Technologies function.

Philippe Stas, CEO of Algonomics NV, said “By combining the Algonomics’ immunogenicity screening platforms with Lonza’s advanced protein technologies such as AggreSolve, a comprehensive solution is offered for the design and optimization of biologics. The integrated group will assist Lonza’s business partners to generate better and more effective protein therapeutics and vaccines.”

The integration of Algonomics and its workforce of 12 people will start soon. Philippe Stas will join Lonza and will continue to lead the acquired business.