- Lonza to acquire Synaffix B.V., an innovative biotech company focused on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
- Acquisition will further strengthen Lonza’s bioconjugates offering through the integration of the industry-leading proprietary Synaffix technology platform and R&D capabilities, including payload and site-specific linker technology
- Lonza and Synaffix will continue to expand their Center of Excellence for bioconjugate technology development, with a focus on out-licensing bioconjugates technologies for cytotoxic ADCs, targeted gene therapy, immune cell engagers applications and beyond
- The acquisition comprises an initial financial consideration of EUR 100 million in cash and up to EUR 60 million in additional performance-based consideration.
Basel, Switzerland, and Amsterdam, Netherlands, June 1, 2023
Basel, Switzerland, and Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1 June 2023 – Lonza, a global manufacturing partner to the pharmaceutical, biotech and nutraceutical markets, today announced it has acquired Synaffix B.V. (Synaffix), a biotechnology company focused on commercializing its clinical-stage technology platform for the development of ADCs. Synaffix revenues and margins will be recognised within the Lonza business from the date of acquisition.
While ADCs offer widespread and targeted treatment potential against cancer, they present a range of complex development and manufacturing challenges. Supported by a team of scientific experts, the Synaffix technology platform, which includes payload and site-specific linker technologies, will enhance and extend Lonza’s integrated ADC services, including its early-phase offering. The award-winning Synaffix ADC technology platform comprises proprietary GlycoConnect™, HydraSpace™ and toxSYN™ technologies that can considerably enhance the efficacy and tolerability of ADCs.
Combining Lonza’s development and manufacturing capabilities with the Synaffix ADC technology platform will provide customers and licensees with a comprehensive service to rapidly discover, develop, scale up and commercialize novel and differentiated ADCs. These enhanced capabilities will streamline the path to clinic and commercialisation.
Ulrich Osswald, Vice President, Licensing, Lonza, commented: “The Synaffix ADC technology is the gold standard, helping clinical-stage developers to design potentially curative therapies in areas of high unmet medical need. The acquisition of Synaffix underlines the strategic position of bioconjugates within Lonza’s portfolio, expands our offering in this fast-growing market and enhances our value proposition for clinical customers. With Synaffix, our combined industry-leading knowledge and capabilities have the capacity to support both clinical and commercial needs.”
Peter van de Sande, CEO, Synaffix, added: “On our mission to bring Synaffix’s ADC technologies to patients, we are excited to become part of Lonza and thus, through strong and immediate synergies, ensure a robust technology and manufacturing platform for our licensees as they progress into the late stage clinical and commercial development phase. We can now also leverage the potential offered by Lonza to fast-track technology innovations in bioconjugates beyond cytotoxic ADCs. We look forward to working closely with our colleagues at Lonza for the continued enablement of promising potential medicines for patients in need.”
As a Lonza company, Synaffix will continue to operate under the Synaffix name and further expand its operations in Oss (NL) to cater for further innovation and growth.
The acquisition reflects Lonza’s strategy to differentiate through technology and innovation. From its leading bioconjugation offering, to the commercial manufacture of cell and gene therapies and support in producing live biotherapeutics, Lonza’s manufacturing technologies help customers deliver innovative new therapies to patients.
Bird & Bird acted as legal advisor to Lonza. William Blair acted as financial advisor and Goodwin and NautaDutilh acted as legal advisors to Synaffix.
An ADC is a revolutionary type of targeted cancer therapy designed to deliver a potent drug directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. The structure of an ADC consists of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) and a cytotoxic drug that are assembled using a linker technology. The way these components are assembled plays a critical role in directing the release of the drug only inside the cancer cell in order to maximize therapeutic effect while maintaining drug safety.
The ADC market is set to exceed USD 22 billion by 2030.[1]
To learn more about Lonza’s ADC offering, please visit: https://www.lonza.com/biologics/bioconjugates
Note: [1] Grand View Research (May 2023)
About Lonza
Lonza is a 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 business is structured to meet our customers’ complex needs across four divisions: Biologics, Small Molecules, Cell & Gene and Capsules & Health Ingredients. Our unparalleled breadth of offerings across divisions enables our customers to commercialize their discoveries and innovations in the healthcare industry.
Founded in 1897 in the Swiss Alps, today, Lonza operates across five continents. With approximately 17,500 full-time employees, we comprise high-performing teams and individual talent who make a meaningful difference to our own business, as well as to the communities in which we operate. The company generated sales of CHF 6.2 billion with a CORE EBITDA of CHF 2.0 billion in Full-Year 2022. Find out more at www.lonza.com