Forbion, a leading venture capital firm building life science companies, BioGeneration Ventures (BGV), a specialized life sciences venture capital firm focusing on early-stage European biotech companies, and Lonza announced today a collaboration agreement for the development and manufacturing of biologics
| Basel, Switzerland, 10 December 2020 – Forbion, a leading venture capital firm building life science companies, BioGeneration Ventures (BGV), a specialized life sciences venture capital firm focusing on early-stage European biotech companies, and Lonza announced today a collaboration agreement for the development and manufacturing of biologics. Under the terms of the agreement, Lonza will provide a tailored offering and advice and services to the portfolio companies of Forbion and BGV. The offering comprises early de-risking, development and manufacturing, and optimization services for large molecule biologics. By leveraging the expertise of Lonza’s discovery services, this collaboration will reduce the risk of failures when selecting lead candidates and ensuring the optimum molecule progresses into process development. Use of Lonza’s platform manufacturing process and leading GS Xceed® expression technology leverages over 30 years of experience, enabling a quick and low-risk transition from bench to GMP manufacture for fast entry into a phase I clinical trial. The agreement was developed by Lonza to support the unique needs of VCs and their portfolio companies. It’s focused on making it easier for emerging biotechs to access preclinical/CMC expertise and services from gene to drug product, including expert regulatory support. This streamlines and de-risks CMC activities, simplifies the supply chain and accelerates lead candidate selection and process development to progress candidates to the clinic rapidly. The agreement covers gene to IND services for either mammalian or microbial molecules. Quote from Pnina Weitz, Global Head of Venture Capital Business Development & Relationship Management, Lonza: “This agreement provides Forbion and BGV with CMC support and expertise during their due diligence and enables their portfolio companies to leverage Lonza’s broad experience in supporting the development of biotherapeutics. Forbion and BGV portfolio companies receive preferred commercial terms to Lonza’s early-stage candidate de-risking and optimization, cell line development and manufacturing services, which enable a fast path to first in human studies. This collaboration is designed to benefit all involved parties and demonstrates Lonza’s continuing commitment to emerging biotechs on their journey from the bench to the clinic.” | ||||||
| About Lonza At Lonza, we combine technological innovation with world class manufacturing and process excellence. Together, these enable our customers to deliver their discoveries in the healthcare, preservation, and protection sectors. We are a preferred global partner to the pharmaceutical, biotech and specialty ingredients markets. We work to prevent illness and promote a healthier world by enabling our customers to deliver innovative medicines that help treat or even cure a wide range of diseases. We also offer a broad range of microbial control solutions, which help to create and maintain a healthy environment. Founded in 1897 in the Swiss Alps, Lonza today operates in 120 sites and offices in more than 35 countries. With approximately 15,500 full-time employees, we are built from high-performing teams and of individual employees who make a meaningful difference to our own business, as well as the communities in which we operate. The company generated sales of CHF 5.9 billion in 2019 with a CORE EBITDA of CHF 1.6 billion. Find out more at www.lonza.com and follow us on Twitter @LonzaGroup or Facebook @LonzaGroupAG. About Forbion Forbion is a dedicated life sciences venture capital firm with offices in The Netherlands, Germany and Singapore. Forbion invests in life sciences companies that are active in the (bio-) pharmaceutical space. Forbion’s investment team has built an impressive performance track record since the late nineties with successful investments in over 66 companies. Forbion manages well over EUR 1.25 billion across ten funds. Forbion is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment. Besides financial objectives, Forbion selects investments that will positively affect the health and well-being of patients. Its investors include the EIF, through its European Recovery Programme (ERP), LfA, Dutch Venture Initiative (DVI), AMUF and EFSI facilities and KfW Capital through the Programme, “ERP – Venture Capital Fondsinvestments”. Forbion operates a joint venture with BGV, the manager of seed and early-stage funds, especially focused on Benelux and Germany. For more information, please visit: www.forbion.com. About BioGeneration Ventures (BGV) BioGeneration Ventures (BGV) is a venture capital company, with a focus on early-stage European biotech companies. The Company has a strong track record of significant financial returns through investing in innovations in healthcare and providing the expertise to build world-class companies. BGV manages over EUR 225 million of funds investing in areas where true scientific innovations, the unmet medical need, and the potential to demonstrate a significant proof of concept all come together. BGV strives to work with founding teams to mature science and build companies. The Company uses its experience to guide progress into clinical trials, ultimately leading to successful drug development and value realization for its investors. BGV applies its expertise in a rigorous process to select the most compelling opportunities with the best prospects for exit. BGV is based in Naarden, The Netherlands. For more information, please visit: www.biogenerationventures.com Lonza Contact Details
Forbion Contact Details Rogier Rooswinkel, PhD Partner +31 (0) 35 699 30 00 BGV Contact Details Edward van Wezel Managing Partner Additional Information and Disclaimer Lonza Group Ltd has its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. It has a secondary listing on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”). Lonza Group Ltd is not subject to the SGX-ST’s continuing listing requirements but remains subject to Rules 217 and 751 of the SGX-ST Listing Manual. Certain matters discussed in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations and estimates of Lonza Group Ltd, although Lonza Group Ltd can give no assurance that these expectations and estimates will be achieved. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty and are qualified in their entirety. The actual results may differ materially in the future from the forward-looking statements included in this news release due to various factors. Furthermore, except as otherwise required by law, Lonza Group Ltd disclaims any intention or obligation to update the statements contained in this news release. |
