Lonza to Expand Viral Production Capacity

Lonza will expand its viral-based therapeutics business with the construction of a new cGMP cleanroom. Construction and validation are expected to be completed early in 2012.

Swiss based life science company Lonza is to expand its viral-based therapeutics business with the construction of a new cGMP cleanroom located adjacent to its existing Houston, Texas operations. Construction and validation are expected to be completed early in 2012.

The cleanroom will offer large-scale capacity to support late-stage viral vaccine and gene therapy projects. It will utilise disposable process systems and be able to support production and fill/finish operations of up to 2,000 litres.

Enhanced EU-compliant fill and finish capabilities are in high demand from Lonza’s pharma and biotech customers, the company says. The expansion will also reduce clients’ wait times for cleanroom capacity due to the ability to run multiple cGMP operations simultaneou