Anthos, Lonza Partnership to Address Thrombotic Disorders

Lonza has entered a partnership agreement with Anthos Therapeutics, a biotech created by Blackstone Life Sciences and Novartis. The partnership supports the development and manufacturing of Abelacimab, a novel, fully human, Factor XI and XIa antibody, which could, if approved, address a range of thrombotic disorders.

Lonza will leverage its integrated end-to-end offering, developed specifically for virtual biotechs and their investors. The company says its milestone business model is designed to deliver quality with agility and speed while maintaining an investor focus that aligns Anthos Therapeutics’ investment to value creation by Lonza. With drug substance and drug product capabilities under one quality system and a dedicated team working on Abelacimab from start to finish, the program aims to bring products to market faster while reducing investment risk. Lonza will utilize its global network of facilities in Basel, Stein and Visp, Switzerland, Slough, UK and Tampa, FL in the U.S.

“Our partnership with Lonza provides Anthos Therapeutics access to its world-class development and manufacturing expertise,” said Jonathan Freeman, co-founder and chief operating officer, Anthos Therapeutics. “The integrated drug substance, drug product and labeling/packaging offering enables efficiency and speed to accelerate patient access to this potentially life-preserving therapy. Importantly, Lonza’s value-based milestone-driven business model addresses the product, timeline and financial needs of our company and our investors.”

Thrombotic disorders are estimated to account for one in four deaths and are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. A large unmet medical need exists for novel anti-thrombotic therapies, especially in patients currently underserved by conventional anti-coagulant therapies due to the risk of bleeding. As a promising next-generation anti-thrombotic with a unique dual Factor XI / XIa inhibitory activity, Abelacimab has the promise to be the first hemostasis-sparing anti-coagulant that may reduce pathological thromboembolic via a mechanism uncoupled from the required, physiological haemostatic pathway.

Karen Fallen, president, head of MMDM, Lonza, said, “Partnering with Anthos Therapeutics reinforces the value of our milestone business model designed to meet the unique needs of virtual biotechs and their investors. We recognize that innovative funding and partnership approaches are necessary to help bring vital medicines to patients. By leveraging this model, together with our end-to-end Ibex Develop offering, we can help virtual and small biotech-companies accelerate bringing drugs to patients, navigate demand uncertainty and reduce investment risks.”