Bristol-Myers Squibb and Lonza have entered a multi-year expansion of their existing biologics manufacturing agreement.
The contract expansion will include the production of commercial quantities of a second BMS biologic medicine at Lonza’s manufacturing facility in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Lou Schmukler, president of global manufacturing and supply at BMS, said: “Our expanded relationship with Lonza is an important example of our global manufacturing strategy to meet anticipated demand for our commercial biologics portfolio and prepare to bring our late-stage clinical assets to patients by supplementing our in-house manufacturing capabilities.”
BMS and Lonza have been collaborating since 2003 to produce commercial supplies of biologics medicine marketed by BMS worldwide. Lonza currently also produces supplies of an investigational biologics medicine for BMS.
Marc Funk, COO of Lonza’s pharma and biotech sector, said: “We are pleased to extend our relationship with BMS for the commercial production of their innovative drug substance.
“This reinforces Lonza’s mission to support life-saving medicines by being a reliable supplier of drug substance for our customers with high-quality commercial GMP manufacturing services delivered to the market.”
The agreement, which covers BMS’ biologic specialty care portfolio and pipeline, will see the pharma company make wider use of Lonza’s development and manufacturing facilities.