14 Sep 2018
Lonza Launches Early-Intermediates Supply Initiative for Small-Molecule APIs
  • Is aimed at addressing concerns regarding over-dependence on regional supply of pharmaceutical ingredients to the Western pharmaceutical industry
  • Leverages more than 600m3 chemical capacity at the Visp (CH) chemical complex operating under ISO quality systems
  • Provides a critical link in Lonza's end-to-end service offering covering early intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), drug product intermediates and specialized finished drug product supply

Basel (CH), 14 September 2018 – Lonza Pharma & Biotech today announced the launch of its pharmaceutical early-intermediates supply initiative. The initiative leverages chemical production facilities at the company's Visp (CH) site to address increasing global early-intermediates supply security and quality concerns. Lonza now offers its customers an integrated supply chain from non-GMP early intermediates to cGMP advanced intermediates and APIs.

Lonza will supply ISO-certified early intermediates to customers under customized arrangements in order to simplify supply chains. These arrangements can be based on replacing current sources of non-GMP material, forward processing of basic or specialty chemicals, or back integrating current API supply. The seven ISO-certified plants within the Visp complex provide more than 600m3 of reactor volume and a full range of capabilities across an array of chemical technologies to service customer requirements.

“Lonza's Visp site is well positioned to help address our customers' concerns over their API supply chain. As a world leader in API development and manufacturing, we have been diversifying and replacing our early-intermediates supply base with internally produced material,” said Michael Banks, Vice President Early Intermediates, Lonza Pharma & Biotech. “We are now able to offer this early-intermediates supply option directly to customers under flexible arrangements that meet their specific needs.”

Lonza has a well-established base for chemical synthesis at its Visp site with more than 40 years' track record in the production of APIs and their intermediates. The Visp infrastructure includes a vast array of development, clinical scale and manufacturing capacity, capabilities and expertise for both small molecules and biologics.

Lonza's second small-molecule site in Nansha (CN) was built and operates to ICH* standards for the development and manufacture of APIs, providing additional supply chain capability and flexibility to a global customer base.

“We are dedicated to the high-quality, secure supply of intermediates and APIs for ensuring uninterrupted supply of life-saving medicines. We are also focused on innovation – across our technologies, services and business models – to help bring new medicines to market,” said Gordon Bates, President Chemical Division, Lonza Pharma & Biotech. “The launch of our early-intermediates initiative is another important chapter in pursuing this mission.”

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