• Tailored offering for companies developing smart capsules includes bespoke targeted drug delivery solutions and customized capsule designs for oral biologic drugs
• Service offering leverages customized Capsugel^® Enprotect^® capsules using bi-layer manufacturing technology
• Smart capsules services offered from the recently launched Innovaform™ Accelerator in Colmar (FR)

Basel, Switzerland, 3 December 2024 – Lonza, a global manufacturing partner to the pharmaceutical, biotech and nutraceutical markets, today announced an expansion of its service offering for orally delivered biologic therapies to support the unique development and manufacturing needs of smart capsules companies.

Oral delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is the preferred route of administration by patients worldwide, leading to improved patient compliance and adherence, and drug accessibility. In addition, delivering biologics through an oral administration route represents a growing market that is expected to exhibit 35% CAGR from 2023 – 2028^[1]. 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.

Smart capsules, designed to enhance precision, efficacy, and control by using electronic or mechanical elements to deliver drugs to the stomach or intestine, have the potential to revolutionize the oral biologics market. They have promising applications in areas such as diabetes, obesity, and other therapeutic fields. To meet the needs of this innovative field, Lonza has expanded its offering for orally delivered biologics with a bespoke development and manufacturing service focusing on the specific needs of smart capsules companies. The offering leverages Lonza’s expertise in highly customized capsule solutions tailored to specific requirements, including size, design, and lock mechanisms. It also offers a variety of functionalities, such as targeted release using a bi-layer manufacturing technology, adjustable to the needs of the respective API.

Bart Pelgrims, Vice President, R&D, Capsules & Health Ingredients, Lonza, commented: “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. 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.”

Additional Information

The expanded service offering for orally delivered biologic therapies is being offered at Lonza’s recently launched Innovaform^™ Accelerator in Colmar (FR). The Innovaform^™ Accelerator is a Center of Excellence for developing and innovating capsule-based manufacturing and delivery solutions for oral and pulmonary administration. 

For more information about Lonza's offering, visit Innovaform^™ Accelerator | Lonza.