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11/17/2006
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| Basel - Lonza Group Ltd (SWX: LONN), the global life sciences company, today announces that an agreement with Altus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTU) has been signed, whereby Lonza is granted long term manufacturing rights for Altus’ ALTU-135 drug substances. |
Basel, 17.11.2006 - Lonza Group Ltd (SWX: LONN), the global life sciences company, today announces that an agreement with Altus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ALTU) has been signed, whereby Lonza is granted long term manufacturing rights for Altus’ ALTU-135 drug substances.
All related production will be conducted in Lonza’s FDA registered facility in Kouřím, Czech Republic. The scope of manufacturing agreement includes microbial fermentation, process optimization, technical and regulatory support. In conjunction with the project, Lonza will be enhancing its down-stream processing competencies and hiring additional skilled employees for the Kouřím facility.
Stefan Borgas, CEO of Lonza said:
“Lonza is gratified to be partnering with Altus Pharmaceuticals and to be awarded this significant manufacturing agreement. We believe this relationship will benefit both organizations considerably and will ultimately provide valuable therapy for patients in need.”
Sheldon Berkle, President and CEO of Altus said:
“We are pleased to be collaborating with Lonza, which is an organization with significant expertise in biopharmaceutical production, microbial fermentation, process optimization and quality systems. We believe selecting Lonza is a significant milestone for the ALTU-135 program. We continue to put the pieces in place for a successful ALTU-135 commercial launch.”
ALTU-135 was developed by Altus and is an orally administered enzyme replacement therapy for patients with pancreatic insufficiency. Altus plans initiating Phase III clinical trial in 2007, and preparations with Lonza are underway for a successful commercial launch.
With this agreement, Lonza further strengthens its long-term reach and global market position in the field of microbial fermentation for pharmaceutical applications.
About Lonza
Lonza Group Ltd 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 pharmaceutical active 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 also a leading provider of value chemical and biotech ingredients to the nutrition, hygiene, preservation, agrochemical and personal care markets.
Lonza is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange. In 2005 Lonza had sales of CHF 2.52 billion. Further information can be found at www.lonza.com.
For further information:
Investor Relations /Media inquiries:
Lonza Ltd
Margot Connor
Tel +41 61 316 8566
Fax +41 61 316 9566
Mobile +41 79 401 2832
margot.connor@lonza.com
Media inquiries German:
Lonza Ltd
Dominik Werner
Tel +46 61 316 8798
Fax +41 61 316 9798
Mobile +41 79 470 6308
dominik.werner@lonza.com
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