Lonza

What Lonza does

Lonza Group AG is a Swiss-headquartered, publicly listed (SIX: LONN) contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) founded in 1897 and operating from Basel, with approximately 20,000 employees across five continents. The company is undergoing a strategic transformation into a pure-play healthcare CDMO, divesting its Capsules & Health Ingredients business while expanding its biologics, small-molecule, and advanced-therapy manufacturing footprint. It serves pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers — from small-cap biotechs to large pharma — with multi-year, quote-based service agreements covering drug substance, drug product, and development services.

The core technology stack is anchored by the GS Gene Expression System (CHO-based, with 100+ commercial products and 100+ clinical molecules supported) and a layered set of proprietary platforms: GS piggyBac transposon technology, GS Effex fucose-free cell line, bYlok bispecific pairing (>95% correct pairing), XS Technologies (microbial), Epibase (immunogenicity), and an ADC technology portfolio (GlycoConnect, HydraSpace, toxSYN) derived from the 2023 Synaffix acquisition. The commercial footprint comprises six cGMP production sites across three continents, with bioreactor capacity from 1 kL to 25,000 L, and a CHF 500 million expansion of the Stein, Switzerland drug product facility scheduled to open in Q4 2027; the Vacaville, California large-scale biologics site acquired from Roche in October 2024 strengthens US commercial supply. The company has 80+ successful health authority inspections, 0 CMC-driven clinical holds, and 160+ IND/IMPD filings.

Lonza makes money primarily through fee-for-service CDMO contracts (development services, clinical and commercial manufacturing) supplemented by technology licensing (e.g., three ADC platform deals signed in June 2026 with Antharis, Stipple Bio, and AmMax) generating upfront, milestone, and royalty payments. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting pharma/biotech decision-makers, supported by a Knowledge Center, case studies, webinars, and a podcast series. Customer segments span pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, advanced therapy developers, and (historically, prior to the divestiture) nutrition companies. Reported FY2025 revenue was approximately $7.88 billion, with the company's strategic focus clearly on biologics and advanced modalities as the legacy capsules business is divested.

Name

Lonza

Legal name

Lonza Group AG

Website

https://lonza.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1897

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Lonza is a Swiss-headquartered, publicly listed pure-play CDMO serving pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with integrated biologics, small-molecule, and advanced-therapy contract development and manufacturing across six cGMP sites on three continents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing (CDMO)

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Drug Substance–Drug Product Integrated CDMO (HLAGABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biologics (mAbs/Recombinant Proteins) CDMO (HLAGABAC), Small-Molecule Drug Product (Solid/Oral/Parenteral) CDMO (HLAGABAB), Small-Molecule API & Intermediates CDMO (HLAGABAA), Gene Therapy (Viral Vector/Plasmid) CDMO (HLAGABAE), Cell Therapy CDMO (HLAGABAD), Clinical Trial Material (CTM) Manufacturing & Supply CDMO (HLAGABAK), Gene Therapy Vector Manufacturing & CDMO Services (HLAAACAJ)

Keywords

• Contract development manufacturing
• Biologics drug substance
• Antibody drug conjugates
• Cell and gene therapy
• Pharmaceutical CDMO services

Headquarters

HQ city

Basel

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Contract Development and Manufacturing Services: Lonza provides end-to-end CDMO services including drug substance manufacturing, drug product manufacturing, and development services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Revenue is generated through service agreements, typically multi-year contracts for clinical and commercial manufacturing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Lonza is a dedicated Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) that provides integrated drug substance, drug product, and development services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The offering spans three divisions: Integrated Biologics (mammalian and microbial expression platforms, DNA-to-IND programs, drug substance and drug product manufacturing), Advanced Synthesis (small molecules, HPAPIs, particle engineering, bioconjugates/ADCs), and Specialized Modalities (cell and gene therapy, mRNA/LNP, microbial manufacturing). Revenue is generated through multi-year custom service agreements and technology licensing for proprietary platforms.

Product overview

Lonza is a dedicated Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) serving the healthcare industry with integrated offerings across three main divisions: Integrated Biologics, Advanced Synthesis, and Specialized Modalities. The Integrated Biologics division offers expression technology platforms (GS Xceed®, GS piggyBac®, GS Effex®, GS Discovery®, bYlok®, XS Technologies®), early development services (developability, manufacturability, immunogenicity assessments, early protein expression), DNA-to-IND programs for various molecule types (mAbs, bispecifics, Fabs/Fc-fusions, scaffolds), and mammalian drug substance/drug product manufacturing. The Advanced Synthesis division provides small molecule services including AI-enabled route scouting, solid form services, HPAPI technologies, particle engineering (solid dispersion/spray-dried dispersion), and bioconjugation/ADC services with the Ibex® Design platform. Specialized Modalities encompass cell & gene therapy manufacturing (autologous, allogeneic, viral vectors, exosomes), microbial manufacturing, and mRNA/LNP services. The portfolio operates as a platform-plus-services model where proprietary technology platforms (expression systems, ADC technologies) are licensed or used under service agreements to support end-to-end drug development from early discovery through commercial manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GS Xceed: Gene Expression System technology platform for CHO-based expression
• GS Effex
• GS piggyBac
• GS Discovery
• bYlok
• XS Technologies
• Ibex Design
• GlycoConnect
• HydraSpace
• toxSYN
• Epibase
• OptiALTO
• VS Xcite

Products and services

• GS Xceed Gene Expression System A CHO-based gene expression platform supporting lead clone titers higher than 11 g/L with 97% bulk pool stability and simplified cell line development workflow using GS Ori-Go vectors, for pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers.
• GS piggyBac Transposon Technology Cell line engineering technology using hyperactive piggyBac transposase for efficient stable integration into the genome, supporting high yields and large DNA cargo (greater than 200kb), for biologic developers.
• GS Effex Cell Line Fucose-free CHO cell line derived from GS Xceed producing 100% afucosylated antibodies with increased potency and enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), for therapeutic antibody developers.
• GS Discovery Transient Expression High-performance mammalian transient expression platform enabling rapid DNA-to-protein turnaround in 7-14 days for early-stage candidate screening and lead selection, for biologic drug discovery teams.
• bYlok Bispecific Pairing Technology Bispecific antibody platform enabling greater than 95% correct heavy-chain/light-chain pairing through engineered disulfide bridge relocation from constant to variable domains, for bispecific antibody developers.
• XS Technologies Platform Microbial expression platform containing Pichia pastoris and E. coli expression systems for scalable, cost-effective protein production with methanol-free fermentation options, for biologic manufacturers.
• DNA-to-IND Programs Integrated programs accelerating biologics development from DNA sequence to IND submission in 6-15 months depending on molecule complexity, including cell line, process, and formulation development, for biotech and pharmaceutical companies.
• mAbs DNA-to-IND Program Integrated DNA-to-IND program for monoclonal antibodies enabling IND in as little as 6 months with tox drug substance in 2 months and tox drug product in 3 months, for biotech companies developing mAbs.
• Bispecifics DNA-to-IND Program Integrated drug substance/drug product program for bispecific antibodies with DNA to IND in 13 months and tox drug substance in 7 months, for bispecific antibody developers.
• Mammalian Drug Substance Manufacturing cGMP mammalian manufacturing from preclinical to commercial supply using single-use bioreactors up to 2000L and stainless-steel bioreactors from 6000L to 25000L across six global sites, for pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
• Drug Product Manufacturing Annex 1 compliant biologics drug product manufacturing including vial filling, lyophilization, pre-filled syringes, and cartridges with advanced isolator technologies, for biologic drug developers.
• AI-Enabled Route Scouting Service Artificial intelligence-powered service for identifying optimal synthesis pathways in early phase small molecule drug development, for pharmaceutical and biotech customers.
• HPAPI Technologies Highly potent API handling and manufacturing capabilities for low and high potency applications including ADC payload development and commercial production, for pharmaceutical companies.
• Ibex Design ADC DNA-to-IND program for antibody-drug conjugates integrating expression, conjugation, and analytical development under one program for accelerated ADC development, for ADC developers.
• Bioconjugation Services End-to-end ADC services including early development, drug substance manufacturing, analytical services, targeting agent development, and process optimization, for ADC developers.
• Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing cGMP manufacturing for cell and gene therapies including allogeneic and autologous cell therapies, viral vectors, and exosome-based therapeutics, for cell and gene therapy developers.
• mRNA/LNP Services mRNA manufacturing and lipid nanoparticle encapsulation services for mRNA-based therapeutics including process development and analytical services, for mRNA therapeutic developers.
• Microbial Manufacturing Microbial strain development, process development, drug substance manufacturing, and analytical services using Pichia pastoris and E. coli expression systems, for biologic developers.
• Developability Assessment Suite of in silico and in vitro tools assessing manufacturability and immunogenicity to reduce candidate risk, including PTM analysis and aggregation assessment, for biologic drug discovery teams.
• Early Protein Expression Services Non-GMP protein expression using GS Gene Expression System generating 100mg to 10g quantities for candidate screening, ranking, and early functional assessments, for biologic discovery teams.
• Immunogenicity and Immunotoxicity Assessment Epibase platform-based in silico and in vitro assessments predicting T-cell epitope risk and measuring immune activation using human PBMCs for immunosafety evaluation, for biologic developers.
• Solid Dispersion Technology Particle engineering technology for bioavailability enhancement through spray-dried dispersion for poorly soluble small molecule drugs, for pharmaceutical companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• DNA to IND in as little as 6 months for monoclonal antibodies
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and industry.

• Antharis TherapeuticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2026Exclusive, target-specific licensing agreement for dual-payload ADC technologies targeting gastrointestinal cancers. Antharis gains rights to Lonza's site-specific ADC technology platform while retaining responsibility for research, clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization. Lonza manufactures proprietary payload and linker components and is eligible for upfront, milestone, and royalty payments.
• AmMax BiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026Non-exclusive licensing agreement for AMB-104, an ADC targeting hematological cancers particularly AML with venetoclax/azacitidine resistance. AmMax gains access to Lonza's exatecan-based SYNtecan linker-payload platform while Lonza provides manufacturing and becomes eligible for upfront, milestone, and royalty payments.
• Stipple BiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Multi-target licensing agreement granting Stipple Bio access to Lonza's clinically validated ADC technology platform including GlycoConnect, HydraSpace, and toxSYN technologies. Collaboration aims to advance Stipple Bio's lead program STP-100 combining Stipple Bio's Pointillist Platform epitope discovery with Lonza's bioconjugation capabilities. Lonza eligible for upfront, clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments plus royalties.
• Simulations Plus and U.S. FDAstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Funded research collaboration with Lonza and FDA to develop and validate mechanistic predictive framework for amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) drug products. Integrates advanced in vitro dissolution systems with physiologically based biopharmaceutics modeling (PBBM) to improve prediction of in vivo performance. Lonza leads experimental work while Simulations Plus develops IVIVE frameworks using DDDPlus and GastroPlus platforms.
• Redberry SAScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2025Lonza signed agreement to acquire Redberry SAS, a company specializing in rapid microbiology testing solutions using solid-phase cytometry technology. Transaction expected to close Q4 2025. Acquisition aims to enhance Lonza's portfolio with rapid and automated testing solutions including Red One platform for faster sterility and bioburden testing.
• BigHat BiosciencesstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2024Collaboration with Lonza's Synaffix technology for development of ADC using machine learning. Combines BigHat's AI/ML-powered antibody engineering with Lonza's proprietary ADC technologies.
• Bluebird BiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2023Manufacturing partnership expanded September 2023 to scale production of Skysona (gene therapy for cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy) and other gene therapies. Lonza provides commercial-scale manufacturing capabilities for bluebird bio's gene therapy portfolio.
• Oxford NanoporestrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to develop novel test to accelerate analysis of mRNA products announced January 2024.
• Acumen PharmaceuticalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtended collaboration to add drug product manufacturing of sabirnetug for treatment of early Alzheimer's disease. Initial collaboration began April 2024.
• Scienceindustries and InterpharmaindustryOthersLonza participates in Swiss pharma industry bodies through its executives serving on these industry organizations as part of the federal working group Lifesciences-Standort navigating US drug pricing impacts.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Charles River Laboratories: Charles River provides CDMO services including cell and gene therapy manufacturing through its Biologics Solutions segment, alongside research models and preclinical services. Overlaps with Lonza's cell and gene therapy manufacturing capabilities and biologics testing services.
• AGC Biologics: AGC Biologics is a global CDMO offering mammalian and microbial biologics manufacturing, cell and gene therapy services, and fill-finish capabilities. Comparable to Lonza's Integrated Biologics and Specialized Modalities offerings.
• Siegfried Holding: Siegfried is a Swiss CDMO focused on small molecule API and drug product manufacturing. Direct competitor to Lonza's Advanced Synthesis division, particularly in small molecule CDMO services.
• WuXi Biologics: WuXi Biologics is a global biologics CDMO offering end-to-end services from cell line development to commercial manufacturing. Directly competes with Lonza in mammalian biologics manufacturing with a cost-advantaged Asian footprint.
• Recipharm: Recipharm is a European CDMO providing small molecule API manufacturing, drug product services, and biologics. Direct competitor to Lonza's small molecule and biologics CDMO services, particularly in European markets.
• Samsung Biologics: Samsung Biologics is a leading biologics CDMO with large-scale mammalian cell culture capacity and integrated drug substance/drug product services. Direct competitor to Lonza's Integrated Biologics division, particularly in mammalian contract manufacturing.
• Catalent (Novo Holdings): Catalent is one of the largest pure-play CDMOs globally, offering biologics, cell and gene therapy, and oral dose manufacturing. Recently taken private by Novo Holdings. Directly comparable to Lonza across integrated biologics and specialized modalities.
• Boehringer Ingelheim BioXcellence: BioXcellence is Boehringer Ingelheim's biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing business offering mammalian cell culture and microbial expression services. Direct competitor to Lonza's biologics CDMO operations with comparable scale and regulatory track record.

Broad incumbents

• Eurofins CDMO: Eurofins operates a CDMO business offering API manufacturing, drug product services, and biologics testing. A broader life sciences services platform with overlapping capabilities to Lonza's Advanced Synthesis division.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (CDMO services / Patheon): Thermo Fisher's Patheon business offers comprehensive pharmaceutical development and manufacturing services including biologics, small molecules, and clinical trial materials. A broad incumbent providing overlapping CDMO capabilities as part of a much larger life sciences portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LonzaGroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/LonzaGroupAG
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lonza

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A19 records

Investments8 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lonza