Lonza has opened the world’s largest dedicated cell and gene therapy manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas, US. The 300,000ft², first-of-its-kind manufacturing facility is the largest dedicated cell and gene therapy manufacturing facility in the world.

It has been built in anticipation of the rising demand from developers of cell and gene therapies – which a Lonza press release stated was “the next era in medicine” – with the mission of enabling them to deliver these types of treatments more quickly and efficiently.

The global market for highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients is currently on a growth fast track, largely driven by its major use in oncology for cancer treatment and more often in the form of antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). Over a quarter of drugs worldwide now contain HPAPIs, as they have proven to be more effective than other APIs. 

However, working with APIs high in potency and cytotoxicity comes with many regulations and requirements, and presents pharmaceutical companies with challenges such as handling, containment, cost and security questions.