PINE BROOK, N.J. and BASEL, Switzerland — Elusys Therapeutics and Lonza Sales AG entered into an agreement for the production of Anthim(TM), a therapeutic monoclonal antibody in late stage development for the treatment of anthrax infection.
Under this agreement, Lonza will provide process development services and manufacturing capacity for this product using Lonza’s GS Gene Expression System(TM).
“Elusys is pleased to initiate a partnership with Lonza for the production of Anthim. Lonza has considerable experience in large-scale manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies and a well-established reputation with regulatory agencies for the production of licensed products,” commented James Porter, Vice President of Development and Manufacturing at Elusys.
“Elusys has developed a very promising antibody therapeutic and we are proud to be able to support the further development of Anthim towards its commercial use,” added Dr. Stephan Kutzer, Head of Lonza Biopharmaceuticals.
Anthim Background
Anthim is a high-affinity, humanized and deimmunized monoclonal antibody that targets the protective antigen of B. anthracis and neutralizes the lethal effects of anthrax toxins. It is being developed for prevention and treatment of inhalation anthrax. Anthim has been granted Fast-Track status and Orphan Drug Designation by the FDA. Elusys has been awarded $34 million from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense for development of Anthim, of which $12 million was awarded in September 2007, under contract #HHSN272200700035C, from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, part of the Department of Health and Human Service.
About Lonza
Lonza is one of the world’s leading suppliers to the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and life science industries. Its products and services span its customers’ needs from research to final product manufacture. Lonza 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 a leader in cell-based research, endotoxin detection, and cell therapy manufacturing. Lonza is also a leading provider of value chemical and biotech ingredients to the nutrition, hygiene, preservation, agro, and personal care markets.
Lonza is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. In 2008, Lonza had sales of CHF 2.937 billion. Further information can be found at www.lonza.com.
About Elusys
Based in Pine Brook, New Jersey, Elusys is a private biotechnology company developing antibody therapeutics for treatment of infectious disease. Elusys has been active in the development of biowarfare countermeasures since 2001 and since then has worked in partnership with the US government to develop Anthim for the treatment of anthrax infection. For more information, please visit www.elusys.com.