Lonza and Junshi Expand Biologics Partnership
Swiss CDMO Lonza and China pharma Junshi Biosciences have expanded their biologics collaboration. Lonza will leverage its global network and local operation capabilities to help Junshi Biosciences accelerate the development of drugs in its pipeline and promote their adoption across international markets.
Under the terms of the agreement, Lonza will provide support services that include cell line construction and development, the supply of cell culture media and reagents, process development and GMP manufacturing.
The partnership will also include development and manufacturing support for Junshi’s current and future antibody-based product pipeline, which includes a new candidate to be manufactured at Lonza’s first mammalian facility in Guangzhou that went into operation in the first quarter of 2021.
The main production platform will feature Lonza’s GS Exceed Expression System, which covers various techniques and commercialized processes such as host cells, expression vectors and optimized culture media.
Using the GS Exceed Expression System, Junshi has already launched China’s first local antibody targeting PD-1, called Tuoyi, in 2018 , and then took its Covid-19 neutralizing antibody drug JS016 to clinical trials in 2020.
Jeff Li, vice president of commercial development at Lonza, said the collaboration takes the relationship between the two parties to a new level. “We look forward to providing comprehensive services and professional support for Junshi Biosciences, helping to accelerate the process of drug development, production and commercialization.”
Author: Ellaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist
