Basel, Switzerland, 10 February 2010 – Lonza Group Ltd announces that Prof. Dr. Jonathan Knowles, former Member of the Roche Executive Committee and Head of Group Research, will join Lonza in a part-time role as scientific advisor. In this role he will be mainly supporting the LIFT (Lonza Innovation for Future Technologies) initiative of Lonza. LIFT is designed to deliver long-term technology breakthroughs and new business platforms across all Lonza divisions. Lonza is funding this initiative in the low double-digit CHF million range annually.
Jonathan Knowles extensive scientific experience to transforming great scientific ideas into valuable tangible businesses will be important to help developing the LIFT program further and shape Lonzas overall approach to innovation. Jonathan Knowles will in addition facilitate the augmentation of Lonza’s external scientific network in order to expand the reach and impact of LIFT.
“We are proud and happy, that Jonathan Knowles accepted the invitation to share his invaluable scientific experience with Lonza. Jonathan Knowles will not only advise but also challenge us on our scientific approach”, comments Lonza CEO Stefan Borgas. “LIFT will generate great ideas leading to new technologies, thus helping to maintain and expand the leading position of Lonza as supplier of choice to the life-science Industries. The technology innovations in both products and processes will help to stimulate Lonza’s growth in the next decade.”
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 SIX Swiss Exchange. In 2009, Lonza had sales of CHF 2.69 billion. Further information can be found at www.lonza.com.
