The initial license granted to Genentech allows the US biotechnology company to use the GS system only for R&D purposes. However, the agreement does provide options for Genentech to expand the agreement for commercial purposes.
As part of the agreement, Genentech will pay license fees and milestone payments, the financial terms of which have not been disclosed.
“Lonza is pleased to enter into this agreement with Genentech. We believe that having Lonza’s GS gene expression system selected by one of the leaders in the development and manufacture of biopharmaceuticals underscores the importance of this technology for the efficient production of therapeutic antibodies and recombinant proteins” said Karen Fallen, Lonza’s commercial license manager.