Genesis Biopharma, Inc. a biotechnology company developing targeted cancer therapies, and Lonza announced the signing of a process development and scale-up agreement relating to the manufacture of Contego, Genesis Biopharma's autologous cell therapy product candidate for the treatment of Stage IV metastatic melanoma.

Contego is a ready-to-infuse cell therapy based on currently available therapies at the National Cancer Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Centre, and the H Lee Moffitt Cancer & Research Institute. “We are pleased to have such an experienced bioprocess development and manufacturing partner as Lonza,” stated Anthony J Cataldo, chairman and chief executive officer of Genesis Biopharma.

“Lonza is pleased to be in partnership with Genesis Biopharma, and to bring expertise in large-scale autologous cell therapy production to the task of making Contego widely available to patients suffering from metastatic melanoma,” said David Smith, Head of Therapeutic Cell Solutions at Lonza.

Genesis Biopharma, Inc. is a development-stage biotechnology company engaged in the development of targeted cancer therapies.

Lonza is one of the world's leading suppliers to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science industries.