Denali Therapeutics, Lonza Pharma Ink Exclusive Biologics Deal
Denali therapeutics and lonza pharma & biotech have now announced exclusive partnership to develop and produce biologic medicines. The partnership covers all stages of development manufacturing for clinical trials.
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease represent one of the great unmet medical needs and scientific challenges of today. Their increasing prevalence represents a significant medical and financial burden on patients, families and society at large.
Denali selects its targets based on validated genetic drivers of neurodegeneration, develops molecules that effectively cross the BBB and uses biomarkers to select the right patient population and demonstrate target and pathway engagement in clinical trials.
Through this partnership Denali will have access to Lonza’s extensive expertise and technologies: from cell-line development using the GS Xceed® Gene Expression System to process development and manufacturing at facilities in Slough (UK) and Hayward, CA (USA). In addition, Lonza’s in-house Drug Product Services in Basel (CH) will focus on ensuring that Denali’s finished product candidates are designed with optimal formulation, stability and delivery system in mind.
Lonza Pharma & Biotech’s COO, Marc Funk, commented, “We’re taking up the challenge with Denali and helping them bring potential therapies to patients suffering from these debilitating diseases. This partnership will allow us to do what we do best for our customers – leverage our expertise across the development cycle and anticipate Denali’s needs as they move from pre-clinical to clinical and beyond.
”Denali’s CEO, Ryan Watts, Ph.D., commented, “We are thrilled to work with Lonza to develop our biologic candidates for patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. Lonza’s expertise and experience in manufacturing biologics is hugely helpful to Denali in developing our pipeline.”
