Mesoblast and Lonza partner to mass-produce stem cells

Melbourne-based stem cell therapy company Mesoblast has upped its capacity to deliver commercial quantities of its off-the-shelf adult stem cells through a new partnership with Swiss-based Lonza.

Under the agreement Lonza will manufacture the stem cells in sufficient quantity to meet the global demand for Mesoblast’s mesenchymal precursor (MPC) cell products.

Read more about Mesoblast and its mesenchymal stem cell technology.

Mesoblast also has an option to trigger a process whereby Lonza will construct a purpose-build manufacturing facility exclusively for Mesoblast’s marketed products, with Mesoblast purchasing an agreed quantity from the facility.

Mesoblast also has the right to purchase this facility outright at a pre-agreed price two years after the facility receives regulatory approval.

Mesoblast will also have exclusive access to Lonza’s Cell Therapy facilities in Singapore for the manufacture of allogeneic cell therapy products, subject to certain exceptions.

Lonza will also use its proprietary technology to improve efficiency of manufacture of Mesoblast’s MPC product and aid in the development of future products.

Mesoblast’s (ASX:MSB) share price rose 2.75% to $7.81 by midday today on the back of the news.