Basel, Switzerland and Berlin, Germany, 19 April 2011 – Lonza and ORGANOBALANCE today announced the signing of a worldwide exclusive license agreement in which Lonza will develop, produce and commercialize products containing a probiotic Lactobacillus strain. Developed by ORGANOBALANCE GmbH, the probiotic strain acts against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Research shows that H. pylori has been implicated as a common cause of peptic ulcers and gastritis.
Currently, about 50 percent of the global population is infected with H. pylori (Source: Czinn SJ. J Pediatr. 2005 Mar;146 (3 Suppl):S21-6.). However, this new probiotic strain demonstrates great potential in helping to maintain a balanced H. pylori concentration. Utilizing a unique patent- protected mode of action, Lactobacillus anti-H. pylori binds to H. pylori in the stomach, thus creating large aggregates, which are subsequently flushed out of the stomach and excreted.
“This agreement with ORGANOBALANCE creates a basis for Lonza to enter the probiotic market -a market with vast growth potential- with a unique ingredient,” said Roman Quinter, Senior Vice President and Head of Nutrition Ingredients business for Lonza. “Lonza is a global leader in the manufacturing of intermediates and API’s for the pharmaceutical industry through biotechnology and fermentation. Integrating the Lactobacillus anti-H. pylori strain into our nutrition ingredient portfolio provides an opportunity to leverage our strong biotech expertise and knowledge to provide a highly effective product to the nutrition landscape.“
Produced via a fermentation process, the Lactobacillus anti-H. pylori strain is patent-protected. The strain demonstrates probiotic activity by gently, yet highly effectively, removing H. pylori from the stomach.
“As the leader in the development of innovative probiotic strains, we regard this agreement with Lonza as a further recognition of ORGANOBALANCE’s strategy, our expertise, and our innovative capacity,” said Prof. Dr. Christine Lang, CEO of ORGANOBALANCE GmbH. “We highly appreciate Lonza’s dedication to lead our development into great success on the nutrition marketplace.”
About Lonza
Lonza is one of the world’s leading suppliers to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science industries. Products and services span its customers’ needs from research to final product manufacture. It 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. In addition, Lonza is a leader in cell-based research, endotoxin detection and cell therapy manufacturing. Furthermore, the company is a leading provider of value chemical and biotech ingredients to the nutrition, hygiene, preservation, agro and personal care markets.
Lonza Group Ltd
Muenchensteinerstrasse 38
4002 Basel, Switzerland
www.lonza.com
ORGANOBALANCE GmbH
Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25
13355 Berlin, Germany
www.organobalance.com
Lonza is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. In 2010, the company had sales of CHF 2.680 billion. Further information can be found at www.lonza.com.
About ORGANOBALANCE
ORGANOBALANCE GmbH is a company specialising in strain development and microbiological screening, tapping the potential of beneficial microorganisms, known as specific probiotic cultures, in order to balance out the microflora and restore the microbial equilibrium in a natural way. In close cooperation with renowned industry partners, ORGANOBALANCE GmbH develops new biological products in the fields of pharmaceutics, preventive health care, nutrition and cosmetics. In its development activities the company draws on its own collection of more than 8000 microorganisms suitable for use in foodstuffs as well as its own OASSYS® screening systems. ORGANOBALANCE was founded in 2001 and is based in Berlin, Germany. More information can be found at www.organobalance.com.
For further information please contact:
Lonza Ltd
Marketing Manager Nutrition
Adriana Williams
Tel +41 61 316 8626
Fax + 41 61 316 9626
adriana.williams@lonza.com
Lonza Group
Head of External Communications
Melanie Disa
Tel +1 201 316 9413
Fax +1 201 696 3533
melanie.disa@lonza.com
ORGANOBALANCE GmbH
Kristin Ebert
Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25
13355 Berlin
Germany
Tel +49 30 46307-200
Fax +49 30 46307-210
info@organobalance.com
www.organobalance.com
Press contact for ORGANOBALANCE GmbH:
COMAGO
Communication . Marketing . Organisation
Helmut Landenberger
Wiesenstrasse 55
14612 Falkensee
Germany
Tel +49 33 22 84 06 52
Fax +49 33 22 84 06 53
mail@comago.de
www.comago.de
