July 11, 2008 - 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... Novartis' Press Release - Lonza's Press Release -
