Swiss-based life science chemical company Lonza has set up a cGMP manufacturing capacity for large scale solid phase manufacture of peptides at its Visp (CH) facility. In a statement this week the company claims that this move will complement Lonza Biotec's capabilities for cGMP manufacture of small molecule peptides by microbial fermentation. The market for therapeutic peptides today is estimated to be 443.6 million euros ($400 million) at the API level with an annual growth rate of approximately 15 per cent. This figure is based on the growing number of small molecule peptides in discovery and in advanced clinical development added to improved formulations and new delivery systems. The new state-of-the-art plant has been validated according to the most recent regulatory guidelines. Lonza now offers peptide synthesis in solid phase (Solid Phase Peptide Synthesizers, 2 - 800 litres), in liquid phase and by microbial fermentation. According to the company the technology of choice generally depends on the number of amino acids, structural complexity, manufacturing quantity and economical viability. In some cases Lonza can offer an integrated approach combining a recombinant fermentation process with additional chemical steps.
