Lonza Advances ADC Capabilities with Engitix Licensing Deal and Advanced Synthesis Expansion

Lonza has entered a licensing agreement with Engitix to advance antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) development, and separately announced the strengthening of its Advanced Synthesis offering for ADCs and other bioconjugates through site expansion and technology integration.

Under the licensing agreement, Engitix will use Lonza’s ADC technology platform to develop differentiated therapeutic candidates designed to selectively deliver potent payloads to tumor-selective targets identified through Engitix’s proprietary human ECM discovery platform. Lonza, through one of its affiliated companies, is eligible to receive upfront, clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, plus royalties on net sales of resulting products. Lonza is responsible for manufacturing components related to its proprietary technologies, and Engitix is responsible for the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of the ADCs.

The strengthened Advanced Synthesis offering includes the full integration of the ADC technology platform into the Advanced Synthesis portfolio. The platform comprises the proprietary GlycoConnect antibody conjugation technology, HydraSpace polar spacer technology, and a growing portfolio of toxSYN linker payloads. These clinically validated, site-specific technologies, originally obtained through the acquisition of Synaffix in 2023, aim to significantly enhance the efficacy and tolerability of ADCs. The technologies have recently been expanded to include dual‑payload ADC technology, enabling the development of next‑generation ADCs designed to address tumor heterogeneity and drug‑induced resistance. The dual‑payload approach enables precise attachment of two complementary cytotoxic agents to a single antibody, with precisely controllable payload ratios. Combined with Lonza’s end‑to‑end development and manufacturing expertise, this capability allows customers to access innovative ADC design within a fully integrated, scalable CDMO framework from discovery through clinical supply.

The Oss (NL) site has also expanded its capabilities through increased investment in laboratory infrastructure, enabling broader R&D activities across ADCs and emerging bioconjugate modalities, such as antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates, targeted lipid nanoparticles, and protein-protein conjugates. Recent growth includes the addition of new scientific roles and the continued expansion of laboratory capacity. The Oss site now combines rapid small‑scale bioconjugate prototyping as a service with newly established scale‑up capabilities to deliver pilot toxicology material, while providing on‑site process and analytical development.

The Vice President of Commercial Development for Advanced Synthesis at Lonza stated that the advancements strengthen the support provided to drug developers in the field of ADCs and other bioconjugates, and that the expansion of the Oss site further reinforces Lonza’s global bioconjugate development and manufacturing network, underscoring its dedication to continuously improving its offering and expertise in line with evolving customer and market needs.