Lonza and OncoMed Pharmaceuticals sign agreement for anti-cancer therapeutics

Lonza, a global leader in biological manufacturing and OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving cancer treatment, announced today an agreement for the development and manufacture of OncoMed’s pipeline of anti-cancer stem cell therapeutics.  Under the agreement, Lonza will produce material at its mammalian manufacturing facility in Slough, UK. The multi-product GS System™ License provides access to Lonza’s GS Gene Expression System™ and Version 8 Media and Feeds Manufacturing Platform.  

OncoMed’s pipeline is focused on the development of novel monoclonal antibodies that target cancer stem cells. The Process Development and Manufacturing Collaboration includes, but is not limited to, the following OncoMed projects:  

-Demcizumab (Anti-DLL4, OMP-21M18), currently in Phase 1b

-Anti-Notch 2/3 (OMP-59R5), currently in Phase 1b/2

-Anti-Fzd7 (OMP-18R5), currently in Phase 1

-Anti-Notch1 (OMP-52M51), currently in Phase 1 

-Anti-DLL4/VEGF Bi-Specific, currently in preclinical testing      

“OncoMed’s pipeline is a great example of how emerging biotech companies are successfully innovating in the oncology field,” said Dr. Stephan Kutzer, COO Lonza Custom Manufacturing. “This multi-product contract and GS license agreement demonstrate Lonza’s ability to offer world-class expression platforms in combination with secure manufacturing capabilities for the complete product lifecycle.”  

Michael Mulkerrin, Vice President, Process Development, OncoMed, said, “We are pleased to continue to deepen our relationship with Lonza. Over the years, Lonza’s expertise has been invaluable in helping us rapidly advance our growing anti-cancer stem cell pipeline.”