Lonza and Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB) have modified their current agreement for supply of cell culture media by mutual accord. The agreement, signed in 2012, gave SSB exclusive sales and marketing rights for certain media and buffers developed and manufactured by Lonza for use in biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes. Lonza retained sales for research-based products, among others.
 
Under the new deal SSB will continue to offer current and future Lonza media and buffers on a non-exclusive basis as part of its portfolio of products for cell-based development and manufacturing. Lonza Pharma & Biotech resumes sales and marketing of all its media products for both manufacturing and research. Customers of both companies will continue to be able to source media products for their specific needs.
 
"We have a long-standing and productive partnership with SSB, and we will continue to work together to provide solutions for customers as they bring medicines to patients," said Marc Funk, chief operating officer, Lonza Pharma & Biotech. "As new generations of complex biologics move toward commercial production, media is no longer viewed as a consumable but as a critical part of the package we offer customers developing next-generation therapies, so we are investing accordingly in this area."
 
"Our collaboration over the past years has greatly benefited our customers and both companies. The adapted agreement now reflects the dynamics of this rapidly evolving market, providing additional strategic flexibility for both partners," said Reinhard Vogt, member of Sartorius Stedim Biotech’s executive committee.
 
Both companies have also entered into a further long-term agreement for supply of equipment and consumables. Under the new agreement, SSB will be a preferred supplier for specific Lonza projects. 
 
Lonza is currently investing in its media business and will open a new R&D facility in Rockville, MD by the end of 2018. Supporting the nearby Walkersville, MD site, the new R&D center will drive innovation in media formulation. As biologic-based medicines—including next-generation antibody-based therapeutics and cell and gene therapies—become increasingly complex, media formulations need to be tailored to specific processes.

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