Christian Seufert, Head of Advanced Synthesis, Lonza outlined the company’s strategic growth and investment plan at the DCAT Member Company Announcement Forum, held March 23, 2026, at DCAT Week. The company is sharpening its strategic focus as a pure-play CDMO with targeted acquisitions, expansions, and the divestment of non-core businesses.  

In 2025, Lonza re-evaluated its corporate strategy and made a decision to become a pure-play CDMO. As part of this strategy, the company established three new Business Platforms: Integrated Biologics, Advanced Synthesis, and Specialized Modalities. Integrated Biologics offers integrated biologics development and manufacturing services for both drug substances and drug products from preclinical to commercialization. Advanced Synthesis provides capabilities in bioconjugates and complex chemistry by integrating small-molecule capabilities from active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) process development and manufacturing to solid form services, which includes capabilities for antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). Specialized Modalities covers development and manufacturing services for novel therapeutic options ranging from cell and gene therapies to mRNA.  

As part of its strategic shift to becoming a pure-play CDMO, the company is in the process of divesting non-core assets, such as the recent divestment (announced in early March 2026) of its Capsules & Health Ingredients business to the private equity firm, Lone Star Funds, for an enterprise value of CHF 2.3 billion ($3 billion) at closing. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions relating to regulatory approvals and completion of the legal separation of CHI from Lonza’s wider business. Upon closing, Lonza will receive upfront proceeds of CHF 1.7 billion ($2.2 billion) and retain a 40% stake in CHI, with an additional preferential participation in a future exit. Total undiscounted proceeds, including upfront and all future proceeds at full exit, are expected to be at or above CHF 3 billion (approximately $4 billion). The company is also proceeding with a wider portfolio transformation by divesting its Personalized Medicines business (including the Cocoon Platform), the MODA software platform, and its small-molecule micronization site in Monteggio, Switzerland. These divestments are designed to provide more capital for expansions and investments across Lonza’s core business areas. 

In the field of antibody drug conjugates, Lonza has invested heavily in recent years, from design through to commercial supply, which includes the acquisition of Synaffix, an ADC technology company, to provide advanced early-stage design technology. The addition of the former Genentech large-scale biologics manufacturing site in Vacaville, California, which the company acquired in 2024 for $1.2 billion, added to the company’s large-scale biologics capacity.  

In addition, from a technology perspective, the company has implemented intensified fed batch technology across scales at its sites in Visp, Switzerland, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to support high-titer processes and accommodate the next generation of mammalian biologics. In addition, a new fill–finish facility at the company’s existing site in Stein, Switzerland, will become operational starting from next year (2027).  

Other recent developments to supports its new operating model include the Design2Optimize platform that supports right-first-time small-molecule API process development within its Advanced Synthesis business. Another recent acquisition, Redberry, a company specializing in rapid microbiology testing adds to the company’s capabilities in its Specialized Modalities business.