![Vacaville site. [Lonza]](https://www.genengnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Vacaville-Site-Edt.jpg "Vacaville Site Edt")
Lonza completed its acquisition of the Genentech large-scale biologics manufacturing site in Vacaville, CA from Roche for $1.2 billion. The Vacaville facility significantly extends Lonza’s capacity for mammalian manufacturing in the U.S., according to a Lonza official, who added that it creates a significant West Coast commercial manufacturing presence close to San Francisco’s pharma and biotech hub.
The Vacaville site also complements Lonza’s existing East Coast manufacturing site in Portsmouth, NH, as well as its international network across Europe and Asia Pacific.
With a total bioreactor capacity of around 330,000 liters, the Vacaville site is one of the largest biologics manufacturing facilities in the world. This acquisition extends manufacturing capacity for late-stage clinical and commercial products, and new molecules on the path to commercialization within the Lonza network.
The site joins the mammalian business unit within Lonza’s Biologics division, with more than 750 Vacaville colleagues now being employed directly by Lonza.
“The successful acquisition of the Vacaville site marks a major milestone for Lonza, and for our commitment to deliver long-term value for our customers and shareholders,” said Wolfgang Wienand, CEO, Lonza.
The acquisition of the large-scale mammalian manufacturing site complements Lonza’s ongoing investments in large-scale bioconjugation in Visp, Switzerland, and drug product manufacturing in Stein, Switzerland, supporting its ability to meet demand for the large-scale, end-to-end manufacturing of complex biologics, added Wienand.
Lonza plans to invest approximately CHF 500 million ($591 million) to further upgrade the facility and add capabilities to meet demand for the next generation of mammalian biologics therapies.
The products previously manufactured at the site will now be supplied by Lonza to Roche with committed minimum volumes over the medium term, phasing out over time as the site transitions to serve alternative customers.
