Lonza Launches Tailored Service for Smart Capsule Development for Oral Biologics

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On Dec. 3, 2024, Lonza announced an expansion of services to support smart capsule companies in their endeavors to develop orally delivered biologics. Oral biologics have unique development and manufacturing requirements, according to a company press release (1).

Smart capsules are designed to enhance precision, efficacy, and control. They use electronic or mechanical elements to deliver drugs to the stomach or intestine, and their mode of action has the potential to revolutionize the market for oral biologics, Lonza stated in its release (1). There are promising applications for smart capsules in diabetes, obesity, and other therapeutic fields.

To meet the needs of companies developing smart capsule-based therapeutics, Lonza has expanded its offering with a bespoke development and manufacturing service that is focused on the specific needs of smart capsules companies. Through this offering, Lonza leverages its expertise in highly customized capsule solutions that can be tailored to specific requirements, such as size, design, and lock mechanisms. The service also offers a variety of functionalities, including targeted release using a bi-layer manufacturing technology, which can be adjusted to the needs of the respective API.

“The strong market interest in this bespoke offering for smart capsules, marked by the first customer already on board and additional discussions in progress, reinforces the value of our approach,” said Bart Pelgrims, vice-president, R&D, Capsules & Health Ingredients, Lonza, in the release (1). “By ensuring every detail of development, which goes beyond formulation, we are confident in our ability to support smart capsule innovators to help shape the future of healthcare.”

Oral delivery of APIs has traditionally been the route of administration preferred by most patients worldwide. Oral administration has led to improved patient compliance and adherence as well as drug accessibility. Delivering biologics through an oral administration route represents a growing market, and one that is expected to exhibit a 35% compound annual growth rate from 2023–2028, according to Lonza in the press release (1,2). “Since most new drug entities face bioavailability challenges, exploring innovative delivery solutions to mitigate these challenges is of great value to drug developers and their patients,” Lonza stated in the release (1).

Meanwhile, Lonza has also expanded its bioconjugation capabilities at its Visp, Switzerland, site with the addition of two new manufacturing suites (3). In November 2024, the company announced that the new suites will provide additional manufacturing capacity for launch and commercial supply to address growing market demand.

The two new multipurpose 1200-L manufacturing suites and manufacturing-related infrastructure will be added to the site’s existing bioconjugation facility and will double capacity for the launch and commercial supply of bioconjugates. The company expects that the new capacity will be operational starting in 2028 and will generate approximately 200 new jobs (3).

References

1. Lonza. Lonza Launches Tailored Offering for Smart Capsules Companies Developing Oral Delivery Solutions for Biologic Drugs. Press Release. Dec. 3, 2024.
2. Market Report Manav AI. Oral Delivery Technologies for Biologics. Lonza Market Intelligence, 2023.
3. Lonza. Lonza to Expand Bioconjugation in Visp (CH) with Two Additional Manufacturing Suites. Press Release. Nov. 12, 2024.