Lonza Opens World’s Largest Dedicated Cell-and-Gene-Therapy Manufacturing Facility

Rare Daily Staff

The biopharmaceutical manufacturing giant Lonza said it has opened the world’s largest dedicated cell-and-gene-therapy facility, a reflection of its expectations for the rising demand from developers of cell and gene therapies.

The 300,000-square-foot state-of-the art facility in Pearland, Texas features a fully-integrated collection of what the company called “the world’s most innovative cell-and-gene-therapy manufacturing technologies.”

“Lonza Houston will serve as a center of excellence for cell-and-gene-therapy process development from concept through pre-clinical, clinical and commercialization, all the way to the patient,” said Andreas Weiler, business unit head for emerging technologies at Lonza Pharma & Biotech. “This facility has the potential to produce treatment for thousands of patients suffering from rare genetic disorders or life-threatening diseases, under one roof. It will set a new standard in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and stand as one of four centers of excellence in cell and gene therapy in the only global network spanning three continents.”

The Lonza Houston Center of Excellence is already operational and manufacturing for several customers. This facility is recruiting employees and will have more than 200 full-time staff including scientists, engineers, MBAs and biotechnology professionals by the end of 2018.

April 13, 2018
Photo: Lonza’s Cell and Gene Manufacturing Facility in Pearland, Texas