CELONIC
Celonic is a Switzerland-based, pure-play biologics CDMO offering end-to-end drug substance development and manufacturing services — from cell line development through commercial supply — for monoclonal antibodies, bispecifics, and complex biologics, serving small to large biotech and biosimilar companies from its Basel development center and Heidelberg GMP facility.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersBasel, Switzerland
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CELONIC does
Celonic AG (operating as Celonic Group) is a Switzerland-based, privately held pure-play biologics Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) headquartered in Basel with a GMP manufacturing site in Heidelberg, Germany. The company was founded in 1982 as a spin-off of the Max Planck Institute, acquired by the J.RETTENMAIER & Söhne (JRS Group) in 2011, and now operates with 500+ employees serving small, mid-size, and large biotechnology companies as well as biosimilar developers across the full lifecycle of monoclonal antibodies, bispecifics, and other complex biologics.
Celonic's service portfolio spans preclinical development (cell line development, upstream and downstream process development, analytical method development, and non-GMP pilot manufacturing), clinical supply manufacturing (50L to 1,000L single-use bioreactor scale for IND, Phase II/III campaigns), and late-phase and commercial manufacturing via a 6x2,000L mid-scale single-use bioreactor asset in Heidelberg. The technology stack centers on CHO-based expression, anchored by the proprietary GS-CHOvolution® cell line platform (built on Revvity's CHOSOURCE™ with TnT transposon technology under a royalty-free simplified license), alongside perfusion and process intensification capabilities (N-1 perfusion, full perfusion), Merck's Breez™ micro-bioreactor platform for early-stage perfusion development, and Cytiva's Xcellerex XDR single-use bioreactor systems. Fill and finish is delivered through a third-party strategic alliance partner. The firm markets standard antibody development cycles of under 12 months, downstream processing yields of 65-70%+ of target mAb, and titers up to 8g/L as quantifiable differentiators.
Commercially, Celonic generates revenue through fee-for-service development contracts and multi-year commercial supply agreements negotiated on a project-by-project basis, with no publicly disclosed pricing tiers. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting pharmaceutical and biotech buyers directly, supported by a Basel Biologics Development Center inaugurated in June 2024 and recent strategic moves including a long-term catumaxomab commercial supply agreement with LINDIS Biotech (February 2025) and an ADC strategic alliance with CARBOGEN AMCIS (October 2025). The customer mix spans biotech, biosimilar, and pharma companies with approved therapeutics, and the company operates with EU cGMP certification at Heidelberg under regulatory oversight by Regierungspräsidium Tübingen on behalf of EMA. Celonic is led by CEO Dr. Samanta Cimitan (since August 2023), CFO Alex Villiger, and EVP Operations Hans-Joachim Janhsen.
CELONIC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CELONIC
- Legal name
- Celonic AG
- Website
- https://celonic.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Celonic is a Switzerland-based, pure-play biologics CDMO offering end-to-end drug substance development and manufacturing services — from cell line development through commercial supply — for monoclonal antibodies, bispecifics, and complex biologics, serving small to large biotech and biosimilar companies from its Basel development center and Heidelberg GMP facility.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CELONIC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biopharmaceutical CDMO Services
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biologics (mAbs/Recombinant Proteins) CDMO (HLAGABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Drug Substance–Drug Product Integrated CDMO (HLAGABAG)
Keywords
Where CELONIC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Basel
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
CELONIC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Contract Development and Manufacturing Services: Celonic provides end-to-end drug substance development and manufacturing solutions for monoclonal antibodies, bispecifics, and other complex molecules, ranging from Cell Line Development to Commercial Manufacturing. Revenue is generated through fee-for-service contracts for preclinical, clinical, and commercial manufacturing projects. Fill and Finish is offered via a third-party strategic alliance partner.
- Commercial Manufacturing Supply Agreement: Long-term multi-year manufacturing service agreements for commercial supply of approved biologics, such as the catumaxomab agreement with LINDIS Biotech. Revenue derived from commercial manufacturing at GMP facilities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based pricing for CDMO services tailored to client requirements |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
CELONIC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Celonic Group is a pure-play Biologics Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) offering end-to-end drug substance development and manufacturing solutions for monoclonal antibodies, bispecifics, and other complex molecules. Services span from cell line development and preclinical process development through clinical GMP manufacturing to late-phase and commercial supply, leveraging proprietary GS-CHOvolution® cell line technology, perfusion-based bioprocessing, and integrated ADC development through strategic alliance with CARBOGEN AMCIS.
Product overview
Celonic Group is a Pure Play Biologics Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) offering end-to-end drug substance development and manufacturing solutions. The portfolio includes the GS-CHOvolution cell line expression system for cell line development, perfusion-based bioprocessing technologies (N-1 perfusion and full perfusion) for process intensification, and integrated ADC development and manufacturing through the CARBOGEN AMCIS strategic alliance. Service offerings span preclinical/early phase development, clinical supply manufacturing (50L-1000L), and late-phase/commercial manufacturing (6x2000L mid-scale). Fill and finish services are offered via third-party strategic alliance partner.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- GS-CHOvolution®: Gene-edited Glutamine Synthetase (GS) knockout CHO K1 cGMP-compliant cell line expression system with TnT transposon technology for accelerated cell line development
Products and services
- GS-CHOvolution Cell Line Expression System Gene-edited Glutamine Synthetase (GS) knockout CHO-K1 cGMP-compliant cell line expression system using TnT transposon technology for accelerated cell line development. Based on Revvity's CHOSOURCE platform, suitable for monoclonal antibodies, bispecifics, and complex proteins with high-expressing clone selection and simplified royalty-free licensing.
- ADC Development and Manufacturing Platform Fully integrated antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) development and manufacturing solution offered through strategic alliance with CARBOGEN AMCIS. Covers cell line development, antibody production, payload/linker synthesis, conjugation, and sterile fill-finish from DNA to drug product. Designed for ADC innovators from early-stage development through commercial launch.
- Preclinical Services Early-phase development services including cell line development, upstream (USP) and downstream (DSP) process development, analytical method development, and pilot-scale manufacturing for non-GMP tox material generation. Supports fed-batch, N-1 perfusion, and full perfusion processes up to Pilot Scale (200L Non-GMP).
- Clinical Supply Manufacturing Clinical GMP manufacturing services using small-scale asset with 50L, 200L, and 1000L single-use bioreactors. Supports fed-batch, N-1 perfusion, and full perfusion processes for IND, Phase II resupply, and Phase III PPQ.
- Late Phase and Commercial Manufacturing Commercial GMP manufacturing services leveraging 6x2000L mid-scale asset for scale-up and scale-out production. Supports late-phase clinical through commercial supply with process transfer and PPQ capabilities.
- Perfusion-Based Bioprocessing Next-generation bioprocessing technology involving continuous exchange of fresh medium for spent medium while retaining cells. Includes N-1 perfusion (intensified fed-batch) and full perfusion. Enables higher cell densities, higher titers, and lower cost of goods per gram with improved sustainability versus stainless steel processes.
Quantifiable outcome
- Standard Antibody development from Gene to Drug Product in less than 12 months
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use CELONIC
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CELONIC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
CELONIC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and key.
- CARBOGEN AMCIScoreCelonic Group and CARBOGEN AMCIS formed a strategic alliance to offer a fully integrated ADC development and manufacturing solution. The partnership combines Celonic's advanced biologics capabilities (cell line development and antibody production) with CARBOGEN AMCIS's expertise in payload synthesis, conjugation, and sterile fill-finish. This creates a seamless, end-to-end platform for ADC innovators from DNA to drug product. The alliance aims to streamline supply chain, speed up timelines, and support clients from early-stage development through commercial launch.
- Merck ( Darmstadt, Germany)keyCelonic Group is integrating Merck's Breez™ micro-bioreactor platform into its process development. The Breez™ 2 mL micro-bioreactor platform is a fully automated, functionally closed, and continuous perfusion cell culture system. This addition enhances Celonic's capabilities in monoclonal antibody development and manufacturing by enabling highly efficient, scalable perfusion-based bioprocessing.
- LINDIS BiotechcoreCelonic Group signed a long-term multi-year manufacturing service agreement with LINDIS Biotech for the commercial supply of catumaxomab, a first-in-class trifunctional bispecific monoclonal antibody approved by EMA for treatment of malignant ascites. Celonic will manufacture catumaxomab at its state-of-the-art GMP facility in Heidelberg, Germany.
- CytivakeyCelonic's new Biologics Development Center in Basel features Cytiva's Xcellerex XDR single-use bioreactor system. The Xcellerex XDR Bioreactor is a robust and flexible system that can scale from process development to manufacturing scale, enabling customers to reach clinical and commercial milestones faster.
- RevvitycoreCelonic signed a commercial license agreement with Revvity for its CHOSOURCE™ expression platform and TnT transposon technology. The Revvity expression platform is used in combination with Celonic's expertise and workflows to enhance cell line development of monoclonal antibodies and complex proteins. Revvity's cGMP manufacturing CHO cell line has over 65 INDs filed globally.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CELONIC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lonza Group: World's largest pure-play biologics CDMO with end-to-end mammalian and microbial manufacturing services. Direct competitor to Celonic in mAb, bispecific, and biosimilar development and commercial manufacturing; notably, Celonic's CEO Dr. Samanta Cimitan previously led Lonza Group Operations Strategy.
- AGC Biologics: Global pure-play biologics CDMO with mammalian and microbial capabilities across multiple sites in Europe, U.S., and Asia. Direct competitor offering similar end-to-end services including cell line development, process intensification, and commercial manufacturing.
- Rentschler Biologics: Privately held European pure-play biologics CDMO headquartered in Germany with similar scale and end-to-end mammalian cell culture services from cell line to commercial supply. Closest comparable in size, ownership structure, and customer focus.
- WuXi Biologics: Major global biologics CDMO with integrated discovery, development, and manufacturing services across China, Ireland, and the U.S. Direct competitor across the full biologics CDMO value chain.
- Polpharma Biologics: European-based biologics CDMO with cell line development, process development, and GMP manufacturing for biosimilars and novel biologics. Direct competitor in the mid-sized European biologics CDMO segment; Celonic's CFO previously held a role at Polpharma Biologics.
- Samsung Biologics: One of the world's largest biologics CDMOs by capacity, operating mega-scale commercial manufacturing plants in South Korea. Direct competitor for large-molecule mAb commercial supply where Celonic's mid-scale asset is structurally sub-scale.
- Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies: Global biologics CDMO with extensive mammalian and microbial manufacturing capacity across the U.S., U.K., and Denmark. Direct competitor for large-molecule commercial supply and process intensification programs.
- Boehringer Ingelheim BioXcellence: Biologics CDMO business of Boehringer Ingelheim offering mammalian cell culture contract manufacturing from clinical to commercial supply. Direct competitor in the European biologics CDMO segment with larger commercial capacity.
Broad incumbents
- Catalent: Large multi-modality CDMO (biologics, cell therapy, oral and injectable fill-finish) recently taken private by Novo Holdings. Broader portfolio than Celonic but overlapping in biologics drug substance and fill-finish — overlapping less on mAb focus but serving similar biopharma clients.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific (Pharma Services): Diversified life sciences giant with a large contract manufacturing and clinical services business (Patheon). Overlaps with Celonic on biologics development and commercial manufacturing but as part of a much broader portfolio spanning small molecules, clinical research, and lab services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CELONIC social profiles
Digital presenceCELONIC compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
CELONIC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CELONIC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
CELONIC subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
CELONIC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CELONIC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CELONIC
What does CELONIC do?
Celonic Group is a pure-play Biologics Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) offering end-to-end drug substance development and manufacturing solutions for monoclonal antibodies, bispecifics, and other complex molecules. Services span from cell line development and preclinical process development through clinical GMP manufacturing to late-phase and commercial supply, leveraging proprietary GS-CHOvolution® cell line technology, perfusion-based bioprocessing, and integrated ADC development through strategic alliance with CARBOGEN AMCIS.
Is CELONIC a public or private company?
CELONIC is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was CELONIC founded?
CELONIC was founded in 1982. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is CELONIC based?
CELONIC is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does CELONIC make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Contract Development and Manufacturing Services are the primary driver. The others are commercial Manufacturing Supply Agreement.
Who are CELONIC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lonza Group, AGC Biologics, Rentschler Biologics, WuXi Biologics, Polpharma Biologics, Samsung Biologics, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies and Boehringer Ingelheim BioXcellence. Broad incumbents are Catalent and Thermo Fisher Scientific (Pharma Services).
Does CELONIC have an API?
No public API is recorded for CELONIC.
What industry is CELONIC in?
CELONIC's product category is Biopharmaceutical CDMO Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGABAC, Biologics (mAbs/Recombinant Proteins) CDMO, with a secondary code of HLAGABAG, Drug Substance–Drug Product Integrated CDMO. Its NAICS code is 3254 and its SIC code is 8731.