- Contract covers the process development and production of OncoMed’s monoclonal antibody portfolio targeting the biological pathways critical to cancer stem cells
- Lonza will develop and manufacture OncoMed’s bulk drug substance in their Slough, UK facility
- Included in the contract is a multi-product GS license with access to Lonza’s GS Gene Expression System™ and Version 8 Media and Feeds Manufacturing Platform
Basel, Switzerland, Redwood City, CA (USA) 23 October 2012 – Lonza, a global leader in biological manufacturing and OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving cancer treatment, announced today an agreement for the development and manufacture of OncoMed’s pipeline of anti-cancer stem cell therapeutics. Under the agreement, Lonza will produce material at its mammalian manufacturing facility in Slough, UK. The multi-product GS System™ License provides access to Lonza’s GS Gene Expression System™ and Version 8 Media and Feeds Manufacturing Platform.
OncoMed’s pipeline is focused on the development of novel monoclonal antibodies that target cancer stem cells. The Process Development and Manufacturing Collaboration includes, but is not limited to, the following OncoMed projects:
- Demcizumab (Anti-DLL4, OMP-21M18), currently in Phase 1b
- Anti-Notch 2/3 (OMP-59R5), currently in Phase 1b/2
- Anti-Fzd7 (OMP-18R5), currently in Phase 1
- Anti-Notch1 (OMP-52M51), currently in Phase 1
- Anti-DLL4/VEGF Bi-Specific, currently in preclinical testing
“OncoMed’s pipeline is a great example of how emerging biotech companies are successfully innovating in the oncology field,” said Dr. Stephan Kutzer, COO Lonza Custom Manufacturing. “This multi-product contract and GS license agreement demonstrate Lonza’s ability to offer world-class expression platforms in combination with secure manufacturing capabilities for the complete product lifecycle.”
Michael Mulkerrin, Vice President, Process Development, OncoMed, said, “We are pleased to continue to deepen our relationship with Lonza. Over the years, Lonza’s expertise has been invaluable in helping us rapidly advance our growing anti-cancer stem cell pipeline.”
About Cancer Stem Cells
Cancer stem cells, or CSCs, are the subpopulation of cells in a tumor responsible for driving growth and metastasis of the tumor. CSCs, also known as tumor-initiating cells, exhibit certain properties which include the capacity to divide and give rise to new CSCs via a process called self-renewal and the capacity to differentiate or change into the other cells that form the bulk of the tumor. Common cancer drugs target bulk tumor cells but have limited impact on CSCs, thereby providing a path for recurrence of the tumor. OncoMed’s product candidates target CSCs by blocking self-renewal and driving differentiation of CSCs toward a non-tumorigenic state, and also impact bulk tumor cells. OncoMed believes that its product candidates are distinct from the current generations of chemotherapies and targeted therapies, and have the potential to significantly impact cancer treatment and the clinical outcome of patients with cancer.
About OncoMed Pharmaceuticals
OncoMed Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage company that discovers and develops novel therapeutics targeting cancer stem cells, the cells shown to be capable of driving tumor growth, recurrence and metastasis. OncoMed has advanced into clinical development five anti-cancer therapeutics, anti-DLL4 (demcizumab, OMP-21M18), anti-Notch2/3 (OMP 59R5), anti-Fzd7 (OMP-18R5), Fzd8-Fc (OMP-54F28), and anti-Notch1 (OMP-52M51), which target key cancer stem cell signaling pathway Notch and Wnt. In addition, OncoMed’s pipeline includes several novel preclinical product candidates targeting multiple validated cancer stem cell pathways, including the RSPO-LGR pathway. OncoMed has formed strategic alliances with Bayer Pharma AG and GlaxoSmithKline. Privately held, OncoMed’s investors include: US Venture Partners, Latterell Venture Partners, The Vertical Group, Morgenthaler Ventures, Phase4Ventures, Delphi Ventures, Adams Street Partners, De Novo Ventures, Bay Partners and GlaxoSmithKline. Additional information can be found at the company’s website: www.oncomed.com.
About Lonza
Lonza is one of the world's leading suppliers to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science industries. Products and services span its customers’ needs from research to final product manufacture. It is the global leader in the production and support of chemical and biological active pharmaceutical ingredients. Biopharmaceuticals are one of the key growth drivers of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Lonza has strong capabilities in large and small molecules, peptides, amino acids and niche bioproducts which play an important role in the development of novel medicines and healthcare products. Lonza is also the world leader in microbial control providing innovative, chemistry-based and related solutions to destroy or to selectively inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms. Its activities encompass the areas of water treatment, personal care, health and hygiene, industrial preservation, materials protection, and wood treatment. In addition, Lonza is a leader in cell-based research, endotoxin detection and cell therapy manufacturing. Furthermore, the company is a leading provider of value chemical and biotech ingredients to the nutrition and agro markets.
Lonza is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and secondary listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”). Lonza is not subject to the SGX-ST’s continuing listing requirements. Lonza is subject to the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange, which do not have specific requirements equivalent to the listing rules of the SGX-ST in respect of interested person transactions, acquisition and realizations, and delisting. In 2011, the company had sales of CHF 2.692 billion. Further information can be found at www.lonza.com.
Further Information:
Lonza Group Ltd
Head of Corporate Communications
Dominik Werner
Tel +41 61 316 8798
Fax +41 61 316 9798
[email protected]
Lonza Group Ltd
Investor Relations
Dirk Oehlers
Tel +41 61 316 8540
Fax +41 61 316 9540
[email protected]