Basel, Switzerland
15 September 2011
Today, Lonza announced a new manufacturing agreement with Pasteuria Bioscience. This agreement secures a process transfer and manufacturing plan to produce Pasteuria spores in Lonza’s biochemical plant in Kouřim, Czech Republic.
Lonza will initiate manufacture of Pasteuria spores, a biological nematicide, in its Kouřim facility beginning late 2011. The biological nematicide developed by Pasteuria Bioscience is based on the natural microbe, Pasteuria spp., found in soil and known to infect and kill harmful nematodes.
“Lonza is excited to use their fermentation expertise in biochemical production to provide innovative, environmentally safe, and cost-effective alternatives to the agri-business and regulated specialty ingredients markets,” said John McGrath, Head of Lonza Biological Manufacturing. “The collaboration fits well with Lonza’s existing technology and manufacturing expertise and is fully aligned with its biochemical's strategy.”
“Pasteuria Bioscience is pleased to partner with Lonza as a manufacturer of Pasteuria products. Lonza offers significant fermentation expertise as well as the ability to scale-up manufacturing in order to meet the global need for Pasteuria spp. bio-nematicies,” said Kelly Smith, Ph.D., Chief Technical Officer for Pasteuria Bioscience.
Pasteuria Bioscience, Inc., was founded in 2003 in the University of Florida’s Sid Martin Biotechnology Incubator where it remains headquartered. The company was developed to commercialize its revolutionary technology for production of biological nematode control products based on the Pasteuria platform. The first Pasteuria-based product Econem® was commercialized in 2010 for sting nematode control in the golf and sports turf markets. Pasteuria Bioscience is also developing products to treat major nematode pests in most agricultural crops such as soybean, sugar beet and cotton as well as in specialty crops such as fruits and vegetables.
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 active pharmaceutical ingredients both chemically as well as biotechnologically. 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. 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, hygiene, preservation, agro and personal care markets.
Lonza is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. In 2010, the company had sales of CHF 2.680 billion.
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