Lonza Group AG : Lonza enters development and manufacturing agreement with Genmab A/S

Lonza Group AG : Lonza enters development and manufacturing agreement with Genmab A/S

10/25/2011

Lonza enters development and manufacturing agreement with Genmab A/S for a novel antibody drug conjugate (ADC), HuMax-TFTM
• This agreement secures a development and cGMP manufacturing plan for Genmab A/S, a biotechnology company engaged in the development of human antibody therapeutics for the potential treatment of cancer
• Lonza will perform process development and cGMP manufacturing for the naked antibody in its Slough, UK facility, followed by cytotoxic drug conjugation to produce HuMax-TFTM ADC at its facility in Visp, CH
• Financial details of the agreement are undisclosed

Basel, Switzerland, 25 October 2011: Today, Lonza announces a new development and manufacturing agreement with Genmab A/S. This agreement secures a development and cGMP manufacturing plan for Genmab to produce a novel ADC product targeting tissue factor (TF), a protein involved in tumor signalling and angiogenesis that is highly expressed on solid tumors. The use of ADCs as therapeutic agents is becoming an important therapeutic approach for the treatment of various cancers. This project utilizes Lonza's experts in both antibody production and drug conjugation, providing a harmonized solution for Genmab's technology.

Lonza will initiate process development and cGMP manufacturing for Genmab's monoclonal antibody HuMax-TFTM in its Slough, UK facility. This antibody has been expressed by Genmab A/S in Lonza's GS Gene Expression SystemTM. The naked antibody will be conjugated by Lonza at its ADC plant in Visp, CH to a cytotoxic drug in order to form the antibody drug conjugate HuMax-TFTM.

"Lonza is pleased to enter into this agreement with Genmab A/S on this novel product that leverages Lonza's experience in both high potency synthetic chemistry and mammalian biopharmaceutical manufacturing," said Stephan Kutzer, COO of Lonza Custom Manufacturing. "Lonza is uniquely positioned to offer complete development and manufacturing services for the production of antibody drug conjugates like HuMax-TFTM ADC."

About HuMax-TFTM ADC

HuMax-TFTM is a fully human antibody targeted to tissue factor (TF), a protein involved in tumor signaling and angiogenesis. TF is highly expressed on many solid tumors. TF-ADC was selected for its favourable preclinical safety profile and potent inhibition of tumor growth in pre-clinical experiments. HuMax-TFTM ADC utilizes technology licensed from Seattle Genetics, a biotechnology company focused on developing antibody-based therapies in Seattle, Washington.

About Genmab A/S

Genmab A/S is a publicly traded, international biotechnology company specializing in the creation and development of differentiated human antibody therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. Founded in 1999, the company's first marketed antibody, Arzerra® (ofatumumab), was approved to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia that is refractory to fludarabine and alemtuzumab after less than eight years in development. Genmab's validated and next generation antibody technologies are expected to provide a steady stream of future product candidates. Partnering of innovative product candidates and technologies is a key focus of Genmab's strategy and the company has alliances with top tier pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. For more information visit

www.genmab.com
.

About Lonza

Lonza is one of the world's leading suppliers to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science industries. Products and services span its customers' needs from research to final product manufacture. It is the global leader in the production and support of active pharmaceutical ingredients both chemically as well as biotechnologically. Biopharmaceuticals are one of the key growth drivers of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Lonza has strong capabilities in large and small molecules, peptides, amino acids and niche bioproducts which play an important role in the development of novel medicines and healthcare products. Lonza is also the world leader in microbial control providing innovative, chemistry-based and related solutions to destroy or to selectively inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms. Its activities encompass the areas of water treatment, personal care, health and hygiene, industrial preservation, materials protection, and wood treatment. In addition, Lonza is a leader in cell-based research, endotoxin detection and cell therapy manufacturing. Furthermore, the company is a leading provider of value chemical and biotech ingredients to the nutrition and agro markets.

Lonza is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and secondary listed on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited ("SGX-ST"). Lonza is not subject to the SGX-ST's continuing listing requirements. Lonza is subject to the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange, which do not have specific requirements equivalent to the listing rules of the SGX-ST in respect of interested person transactions, acquisition and realizations, and delisting. In 2010, the company had sales of CHF 2.680 billion.

www.lonza.com
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For further information:

Lonza Group Ltd
Head of Corporate Communications
Dominik Wener
Tel +41 61 316 8798
Fax +41 61 316 9798
[email protected]

Lonza Group Ltd
Investor Relations
Dirk Oehlers
Tel +41 61 316 8540
Fax +41 61 316 9540
[email protected]

Lonza Group Ltd
Media Relations
Melanie Disa
Tel +1 201 316 9413
Fax +1 201 696 3533
[email protected]