Novartis announced a unique and flexible long-term partnership with Lonza, a global biotech leader in process development and manufacturing, to rapidly scale up technical development and clinical production for part of the rapidly growing Novartis biologics pipeline.

Biotechnology is a strategic focus for Novartis. Extensive research and development (R&D) activities over the past few years have resulted in a sharp increase in the number of biological compounds, currently accounting for about a quarter of the Novartis development portfolio. The Novartis Biologics unit aims to further grow the biological pipeline.

The strong Novartis R&D capabilities, coupled with Lonza's leadership in process development and manufacturing, offer an ideal platform for rapid development and production of innovative biological medicines. This may include monoclonal antibodies for treating patients with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, asthma and spinal cord injury.

"The strategic partnership provides a win-win for both companies," said Mark Levick, Global Head of Novartis Biologics. "It gives Novartis access to the most advanced technology and processes available to develop new biological medicines faster for the benefit of patients. At the same time, it allows Novartis to delay investments into manufacturing."

Under the partnership with Lonza, each project will have a specific development agreement. Following successful development of a compound, Novartis can choose to transfer the commercial manufacturing in-house. In the short-term, the agreement will fulfil the need for additional resources in technical development. It will also provide Novartis with extra manufacturing capacity, to be utilized in a flexible way.

Novartis currently has six biopharmaceutical production plants, in Europe and the US, and is planning to expand its in-house manufacturing capabilities with a new site in Singapore.

Headquartered in Basel, Lonza is the global leader in the production and supply of active chemical and biological ingredients to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science industries. Its products and services span its customers' needs from research to final product manufacturing.

Novartis AG provides healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Focused solely on growth areas in healthcare, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, and consumer health products.