Lonza, a global player in contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) services, announced plans to expand its highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredient (HPAPI) and payload-linker manufacturing capacity at its Visp, Switzerland, facility. The strategic investment will further strengthen the company’s position as a leading integrated manufacturing partner for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), one of the fastest-growing segments in the biopharmaceutical industry. The expansion enhances Lonza’s drug-linker center of excellence while enabling the company to support pharmaceutical customers developing increasingly sophisticated targeted cancer therapies.
Investment Targets Growing ADC Market
The global antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) market continues to expand rapidly as pharmaceutical companies develop highly targeted oncology treatments that combine monoclonal antibodies with potent cytotoxic drugs.
As ADC technologies evolve, payload-linker molecules are becoming increasingly complex, creating strong demand for specialized manufacturing processes, advanced purification technologies and high-containment production facilities.
Recognizing this growing need, Lonza is investing in additional commercial-scale capabilities that will enable the production of highly complex HPAPIs and advanced payload-linker molecules for both clinical and commercial applications.
Expanded Facility to Boost Commercial Manufacturing
The investment will add new manufacturing capacity within an existing Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility at the Visp site. The expansion will include commercial-scale payload-linker manufacturing capabilities, advanced purification systems, dedicated analytical laboratories and process development laboratories. Importantly, the new facility has been designed as a flexible, multipurpose manufacturing unit capable of producing a broad range of payload-linker molecules. Its modular design also allows Lonza to add additional manufacturing suites in the future as customer demand continues to grow.
Strengthening Lonza’s Integrated ADC Ecosystem
The expanded HPAPI facility will be fully integrated into Lonza’s broader ADC manufacturing network in Switzerland.
The company’s end-to-end capabilities already include:
Monoclonal antibody manufacturing
Payload-linker production
ADC conjugation services
Drug product manufacturing at Visp and Stein
Expanded quality control (QC) laboratories capable of handling highly potent compounds
By bringing these capabilities together under one integrated manufacturing ecosystem, Lonza aims to simplify supply chains, improve operational efficiency and help customers accelerate the development of innovative ADC therapies.
The new manufacturing capacity is expected to become operational in 2028, supporting both clinical development programs and commercial-scale production.
Helping Customers Accelerate Time to Market
The expansion is designed to help biopharmaceutical companies reduce manufacturing complexity while shortening development timelines for next-generation targeted therapies. With increasing demand for highly potent molecules, integrated manufacturing platforms are becoming critical for companies seeking to move promising drug candidates from development to commercialization more efficiently.
Lonza Reaffirms Commitment to ADC Innovation
Christian Seufert, Head of Advanced Synthesis at Lonza, said, “The rapid growth of the ADC market is driving increasing demand for highly complex payload-linkers that require advanced manufacturing capabilities. Lonza remains committed to investing and further developing its integrated ADC offering. This investment reflects that commitment by expanding our capacity to support this next generation of therapies and enabling our customers to progress efficiently from development to commercial supply, ultimately helping bring targeted, potentially life-changing treatments to patients.”
Positioning for the Future of Targeted Oncology
The latest expansion underscores Lonza’s long-term commitment to supporting the growing global market for antibody-drug conjugates. By expanding HPAPI and payload-linker manufacturing capacity while strengthening its fully integrated ADC platform, the company is well positioned to meet increasing customer demand for complex biologics manufacturing. As per the press release, as precision oncology continues to reshape cancer treatment, Lonza’s investment is expected to play a key role in accelerating the development and commercialization of innovative therapies that offer improved efficacy and targeted treatment options for patients worldwide.
