FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2021 

Contact:
Victoria Morgan
Head of External Communications
Lonza Group Ltd
Tel +41 61 316 2283
victoria.morgan@lonza.com

Lonza to Acquire Exosomics Service Unit to Expand Exosomes Service Offering

  • Lonza to acquire Exosomics Service Unit in Siena, Italy to expand development service offering in exosome bioprocessing
  • Expertise in exosomes isolation and characterization will drive innovation in this field

Basel, Switzerland – Lonza, a global manufacturing partner to the pharmaceutical, biotech and nutrition industries, announced today the acquisition of the service unit from Exosomics, a leading extracellular vesicles biotech company. The agreement includes Exosomics’ service team, service assets and laboratories in Siena, Italy. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Lonza has been a minority shareholder of Exosomics since 2017 and will remain a shareholder after the acquisition of the service unit is complete.

Under the terms of the agreement, Lonza will gain access to expertise and capabilities in extracellular vesicle (EV) analytics and characterization. In addition to research and development, Lonza will expand the service offering from the site to a comprehensive suite of development and analytical services for exosomes. The acquisition strengthens Lonza’s position as a leading global CDMO in exosomes bioprocessing.

Alberto Santagostino, SVP, Head of Cell and Gene Technologies, Lonza, commented: “Today’s announcement is a part of Lonza’s wider strategy to create a comprehensive exosome offering. With this acquisition, we are gaining access to experienced talent, state-of-the-art know-how and the ability to advance this therapeutic area further.”

Antonio Chiesi, CEO, Exosomics, added: “Lonza’s acquisition reaffirms the recognition for Exosomics as a key player in Europe in the field of exosomes sciences. Exosomics will now focus on its original goal of pan-cancer screening and liquid biopsy applications in human diseases, still supported by Lonza as its most important industrial shareholder.”

The investment in this emerging area reflects Lonza’s strategy to differentiate through innovation. From the development of the exosome modality to the industrial production of mRNA vaccines and supporting the manufacture of live biotherapeutics, Lonza operates at the cutting edge of manufacturing technology to help customers deliver innovative new therapies to patients worldwide.

To learn more about Lonza’s exosome-related services, visit: https://pharma.lonza.com/technologies-products/exosomes

About Lonza
Lonza is the preferred global partner to the pharmaceutical, biotech and nutrition markets. We work to enable a healthier world by supporting our customers to deliver new and innovative medicines that help treat a wide range of diseases. We achieve this by combining technological insight with world-class manufacturing, scientific expertise and process excellence. Our unparalleled breadth of offerings enables our customers to commercialize their discoveries and innovations in the healthcare sector.

Founded in 1897 in the Swiss Alps, today, Lonza operates across five continents. With approximately 15,000 employees, we comprise high-performing teams and individual talent that make a meaningful difference to our own business, as well as to the communities in which we operate. The company generated sales of CHF 2.5 billion with a CORE EBITDA of CHF 847 million in H1 2021. Find out more at www.lonza.com

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