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news.Sanofi and Lonza have agreed to invest an initial CHF290m (€270m) to construct a mammalian cell culture facility for monoclonal antibody production in Visp, Switzerland.
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The companies will establish a joint venture (JV) and each share equally in the initial investment.
Subject to necessary regulatory approvals, the construction on the initial phase of the facility is expected to begin in 2017.
The facility is expected to become operational by 2020.
Lonza will construct the facility and support the JV in its operation. The company had previously built three similar facilities in the US and Singapore.
Lonza pharma and biotech COO Marc Funk said: "By entering into this long-term strategic relationship we have developed a tailor-made business model that best fits both Sanofi’s and Lonza’s requirements.”
Sanofi global industrial affairs executive vice president Philippe Luscan said: “In addition to the investments we are making in building our own internal production capabilities, the joint venture between Sanofi and Lonza emphasizes our commitment to provide access for patients to high quality therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.”
Sanofi operates five global business units, including diabetes and cardiovascular, general medicines and emerging markets, Sanofi Genzyme, Sanofi Pasteur and consumer healthcare.
Lonza provides a range of services and products, including active pharmaceutical ingredients, drinking water sanitizers, nutritional and personal care ingredients, agricultural products, microbial control solutions and others.
Image: Sanofi’s headquarters in La Boétie, France. Photo: courtesy of Sanofi.