- Under an XS™ Microbial Expression Research Evaluation Agreement, AdAlta evaluated Lonza’s system in house with successful results for novel i-body proteins
- Lonza to conduct focused strain development study with XS™ Pichia Systems and manufacture non-GMP material at its microbial facility in Visp
- AdAlta to continue using Lonza’s XS™ Expression Technologies in their laboratory to screen their broader i-body platform under the XS™ Research Evaluation Agreement
Basel, Switzerland and Melbourne, Australia, 18 Dec 2014 – Lonza and AdAlta announced today that they have entered into a strain development agreement for AdAlta’s alternative scaffold proteins, called i-bodies. Lonza will conduct strain development studies with the XS™ Pichia systems for several i-body molecules that AdAlta successfully expressed at research levels in their Melbourne-based laboratory. Strain development and manufacturing will be conducted by Lonza at its microbial facility in Visp, Switzerland to establish a commercially viable manufacturing process.
The XS™ Research Evaluation Agreement (REA) provided AdAlta scientists with access to Lonza’s proprietary microbial expression systems, protocols and technical expertise. The licensable XS™ Technology Platform consists of multiple hosts and promoter systems that have been optimized for soluble expression driving simpler recovery and downstream processing, which saves development time and costs. After evaluating several E.coli and Pichia host systems, AdAlta found the best expression performance with one of Lonza’s Pichia systems for several i-bodies that are under development for fibrosis and other diseases.
Under the strain development contract, Lonza will conduct broader process development for these i-bodies including larger scale, fed-batch production with one or more XS™ Pichia Systems to assess cell growth and productivity. Lonza will produce non-GMP material for further evaluation at AdAlta.
“We are pleased that the diversity of the XS™ Expression Toolbox is a successful option to express these alternative scaffold molecules which demonstrates the versatility of the technology,” said Anne Hays, Head of Lonza’s Custom Development Services Organization. “This is the goal of our approach – to enable customers to do early research in their own labs, then come to Lonza for next-phase product needs.”
“We are pleased to be working with a partner such as Lonza with extensive experience in protein expression,” said CEO Samantha Cobb. “The strain development with Lonza will allow AdAlta to advance our novel i-body candidates to the clinic as quickly as possible.”
AdAlta will continue to screen their broader i-body platform with the XS™ systems available under the XS™ REA.
About Lonza
Lonza is one of the world’s leading and most-trusted suppliers to the pharmaceutical, biotech and specialty ingredients markets. We harness science and technology to create products that support safer and healthier living and that enhance the overall quality of life.
Not only are we a custom manufacturer and developer, Lonza also offers services and products ranging from active pharmaceutical ingredients and stem-cell therapies to drinking water sanitizers, from the vitamin B compounds and organic personal care ingredients to agricultural products, and from industrial preservatives to microbial control solutions that combat dangerous viruses, bacteria and other pathogens.
Founded in 1897 in the Swiss Alps, Lonza today is a well-respected global company with more than 40 major manufacturing and R&D facilities and approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. The company generated sales of about CHF 3.6 billion in 2013 and is organized into two market-focused segments: Pharma&Biotech and Specialty Ingredients. Further information can be found atwww.lonza.com.
About AdAlta
AdAlta Pty Ltd is an Australian based biotechnology company developing its lead fibrosis candidate with a next generation biological platform.
AdAlta is pioneering a new technology, the i-body that uses a human protein equivalent of the single domain antibody of the shark The i-body, as a next generation biologic, combines the advantages of monoclonal antibodies (high target specificity and affinity) with advantages of small molecules including stability and ability to access difficult targets such as GPCRs and ion channels The i-bodies are extremely stable at high temperatures and low pH and can be manufactured in yeast or bacterial systems. In addition to the stability, the i-body has a long binding loop that human antibodies and other next generation antibodies do not have. The i-body with this long binding loop can target sites that traditionally antibodies cannot, such as clefts in cell surface receptors or the active sites of enzymes or targets such as GPCRs and ion channel targets. Further information can be found at www.adalta.com.au.
Lonza Contact Information
| Lonza Group Ltd | Lonza Group Ltd | Lonza Group Ltd |
| Head Investor Relations | Head Corporate Communications | Head External Communications |
| Dirk Oehlers | Dominik Werner | Constance Ward |
| Tel +41 61 316 8540 | Tel +41 61 316 8798 | Tel +41 61 316 8840 |
| Fax +41 61 316 9540 | Fax +41 61 316 9540 | Fax +41 61 316 9840 |
| dirk.oehlers@lonza.com | dominik.werner@lonza.com | constance.ward@lonza.com |
AdAlta Contact Information
AdAlta Pty Ltd CEO and Managing Director Samantha Cobb Tel: +61 3 9479 5159 s.cobb@adalta.com.au
Additional Information and Disclaimer
Lonza Group Ltd is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and secondary listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”). Lonza Group Ltd is not subject to the SGX-ST’s continuing listing requirements. Lonza Group Ltd is subject to the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange, which does not have specific requirements equivalent to the listing rules of the SGX-ST for interested person transactions, acquisition and realizations and delisting.
Certain matters discussed in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations and estimates of Lonza Group Ltd, although Lonza Group Ltd can give no assurance that these expectations and estimates will be achieved. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty and are qualified in their entirety. The actual results may differ materially in the future from the forward-looking statements included in this news release due to various factors. Furthermore, except as otherwise required by law, Lonza Group Ltd disclaims any intention or obligation to update the statements contained in this news release.