Press release: Lonza to Acquire Synaffix and Strengthen Antibody-Drug Conjugates Offering

Lonza to acquire Synaffix B.V., an innovative biotech company focused on antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
Acquisition will further strengthen Lonza’s bioconjugates offering through the integration of the industry-leading proprietary Synaffix technology platform and R&D capabilities, including payload and site-specific linker technology
Lonza and Synaffix will continue to expand their Center of Excellence for bioconjugate technology development, with a focus on out-licensing bioconjugates technologies for cytotoxic ADCs, targeted gene therapy, immune cell engagers applications and beyond
The acquisition comprises an initial financial consideration of €100 million in cash and up to €60 million in additional performance-based consideration

Basel, Switzerland, and Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1 June 2023 – Lonza, a global manufacturing partner to the pharmaceutical, biotech and nutraceutical markets, today announced it has acquired Synaffix B.V. (Synaffix), a biotechnology company focused on commercializing its clinical-stage technology platform for the development of ADCs. Synaffix revenues and margins will be recognized within the Lonza business from the date of acquisition.

While ADCs offer widespread and targeted treatment potential against cancer, they present a range of complex development and manufacturing challenges. Supported by a team of scientific experts, the Synaffix technology platform, which includes payload and site-specific linker technologies, will enhance and extend Lonza’s integrated ADC services, including its early-phase offering. The award-winning Synaffix ADC technology platform comprises proprietary GlycoConnect™, HydraSpace™ and toxSYN™ technologies that can considerably enhance the efficacy and tolerability of ADCs.

Combining Lonza’s development and manufacturing capabilities with the Synaffix ADC technology platform will provide customers and licensees with a comprehensive service to rapidly discover, develop, scale up and commercialize novel and differentiated ADCs. These enhanced capabilities will streamline the path to clinic and commercialization.

Ulrich Osswald, Vice President, Licensing, Lonza, commented: “The Synaffix ADC technology is the gold standard, helping clinical-stage developers to design potentially curative therapies in areas of high unmet medical need. The acquisition of Synaffix underlines the strategic position of bioconjugates within Lonza’s portfolio, expands our offering in this fast-growing market and enhances our value proposition for clinical customers. With Synaffix, our combined industry-leading knowledge and capabilities have the capacity to support both clinical and commercial needs.”

Peter van de Sande, CEO, Synaffix, added: “On our mission to bring Synaffix’s ADC technologies to patients, we are excited to become part of Lonza and thus, through strong and immediate synergies, ensure a robust technology and manufacturing platform for our licensees as they progress into the late stage clinical and commercial development phase. We can now also leverage the potential offered by Lonza to fast-track technology innovations in bioconjugates beyond cytotoxic ADCs. We look forward to working closely with our colleagues at Lonza for the continued enablement of promising potential medicines for patients in need.”

As a Lonza company, Synaffix will continue to operate under the Synaffix name and further expand its operations in Oss (NL) to cater for further innovation and growth.

The acquisition reflects Lonza’s strategy to differentiate through technology and innovation. From its leading bioconjugation offering, to the commercial manufacture of cell and gene therapies and support in producing live biotherapeutics, Lonza’s manufacturing technologies help customers deliver innovative new therapies to patients.

Bird & Bird acted as legal advisor to Lonza. William Blair acted as financial advisor and Goodwin and NautaDutilh acted as legal advisors to Synaffix.