Lonza Acquires Synaffix in ADC Deal

On June 1, 2023, Lonza announced that it acquired Synaffix, a Netherlands-based biotechnology company with an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) technology platform. Under the deal, Lonza will initially pay €100 million (US$107 million) in cash and up to €60 million (US$64 million) in additional performance-based consideration. While it is now a Lonza company, Synaffix will continue to operate under the Synaffix name and will further expand its operations in Oss, The Netherlands, to prepare for further innovation and growth.

Synaffix’s ADC technology platform includes payload and site-specific linker technologies that will enhance and extend Lonza’s integrated ADC services, including Lonza’s early-phase offering. The ADC technology platform comprises proprietary GlycoConnect, HydraSpace, and toxSYN technologies, which can significantly enhance the efficacy and tolerability of ADCs, according to a company press release.

Through the acquisition, Lonza will combine its development and manufacturing capabilities with Synaffix’s ADC technology platform, which the companies expect will provide a comprehensive service to rapidly discover, develop, scale up, and commercialize novel and differentiated ADCs. The combination is also expected to streamline the path from discovery to clinic and commercialization.

“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 … knowledge and capabilities have the capacity to support both clinical and commercial needs,” said Ulrich Osswald, vice-president, Licensing, Lonza, in the press release.

“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,” said Peter van de Sande, CEO, Synaffix, in the release.

Source: Lonza