According to a press release, Lonza wants to use the facility for its Drug Product Services (DPS). DPS will manufacture in Stein for the existing owner of the factory the pharma company Novartis, which is also based in Basel. It is the first facility for Lonza’s Drug Product Services (DPS) to cover sterile manufacturing for clinical production and commercial launches. Hanns-Christian Mahler, Head of Drug Products Services, Lonza Pharma & Biotech: “After the acquisition the new manufacturing facility in Stein will be our first sterile product fill and finish facility and will work in close synergy with our existing facility in StückiPark in Basel.”

Acquisition will be completed in the next few months after a binding contractual commitment has been agreed. Novartis previously used the facility as a competence center for sterile drug production and for clinical trials. The site includes cleanroom areas, offices, lab space, utilities and storage. Lonza will take on both the management and the staff.

For DPS the acquisition is further step in its growth strategy. DPS was formed at the end of 2016. As a result of the strong demand from the market the sites in Basel and Visp VS will be expanded. Thus, from 2020 DPS wants to “expand development and testing labs into a larger building in Basel “.