Lonza Expands HPAPI & Payload-Linker Capacity in Visp, Strengthening Its Integrated ADC Position

The new capacity, inside an existing GMP facility, is expected to be operational in 2028 and will support both clinical and commercial programs, complementing Lonza's antibody, conjugation and fill-finish ecosystem in Visp and Stein.

On June 30, Lonza announced plans to enhance its drug-linker center of excellence and expand payload-linker manufacturing capacity at its Visp site (CH), supporting the fast-growing ADC market. The expansion will establish new commercial-scale capabilities for highly potent APIs (HPAPI) and ADC payload-linkers, reinforcing Lonza's position as the leading fully-integrated CDMO partner in the ADC space.

Built within an existing GMP facility, the new capacity adds payload-linker production and purification alongside dedicated analytical and process development laboratories. The facility is designed for multipurpose use and scale-out, enabling flexible production of a broad range of payload-linker molecules with the option to add further suites as demand grows. It is expected to be operational in 2028, supporting both clinical and commercial programs.

The new capacity is closely connected to Lonza's broader integrated ADC ecosystem in Visp — including monoclonal antibody manufacture and conjugation, plus drug product capabilities in Visp and Stein — complemented by QC capacity able to handle highly potent payload-linkers.

This is one of Lonza's series of 2026 ADC moves: in February, the company fully integrated the ADC technology platform obtained via the Synaffix acquisition (GlycoConnect conjugation, HydraSpace spacers and the toxSYN linker-payload portfolio) into Advanced Synthesis and added dual-payload ADC technology; the Oss (NL) site expanded labs to cover antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates, targeted lipid nanoparticles and other emerging modalities. Christian Seufert, Head of Advanced Synthesis, said: "The rapid growth of the ADC market is driving demand for highly complex payload-linkers; Lonza remains committed to investing in and further developing our integrated ADC offering."