Australian pharma attracts Swiss investment
3 November 2011
Global pharmaceutical companies Lonza Group and Mesoblast Limited have entered into a strategic alliance to produce regenerative off-the-shelf adult stem cell products.
Swiss-based Lonza and Australia’s Mesoblast announced they will work together to manufacture and supply Mesoblast’s Mesenchymal Precursor Cell (MPC) therapies used to improve the efficacy of bone marrow transplants in the treatment of cancer.
Under the agreement, Lonza will supply MPC products globally and Mesoblast will have exclusive rights to access Lonza’s Cell Therapies’ facilities in Singapore. Using its proprietary intellectual property, Lonza will reduce MPC manufacturing costs and work to develop second generation products.
Mesoblast Chief Executive, Professor Silviu Itescu, said the agreement significantly bolsters the company’s manufacturing capabilities and enhances growth across its operations worldwide.
According to Lonza Chief Executive Officer, Stefan Borgas, the alliance will strengthen the group’s position in the global biopharmaceuticals and life sciences market.
“Lonza is very excited to work under this significant strategic relationship with leading cell therapy company Mesoblast,” Mr Borgas said.
“The cell therapy market is anticipated to become a major growth industry with the potential to mirror the growth we have seen in monoclonal antibodies over the past 20 years.”
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