The Israel Biotech Fund (IBF) and Lonza signed a framework agreement. Lonza will add value to IBF through pre-investment due diligence support and offer the venture fund’s portfolio companies with advice and services for the development and manufacturing of biologics and small molecules. IBF will provide Lonza with access to IBF’s portfolio companies and network in the biotech industry in Israel.
The agreement aims to broaden the scope of services provided by Lonza to pharmaceutical companies in the Israeli ecosystem and an opportunity to support the needs of these companies looking to simplify and de-risk the development of their molecules, according to a Lonza official, who adds that this is particularly relevant to the Israeli biotech industry, where the number of biotech start-ups established every year has averaged 150 in the last decade.
“We chose to collaborate with IBF, a leading investment fund in Israel, due to their unique investment strategy, broad network, and approach,” says Pnina Weitz, global head of venture capital business development and relationship management at Lonza. “IBF’s network will allow Lonza to benefit from [their] connections and offer services and expertise across multiple modalities. Lonza’s customized and scalable solutions in the development and manufacture of both biologics and small molecules will allow these companies to leverage our global network and experience and focus on what they do best—developing innovative and transformative treatments.”
“Lonza is a leading and reputative global manufacturer, and we are excited to collaborate with them,” notes Ido Zairi, co-founder and managing partner of the Israel Biotech Fund. The unique business model offered by the collaboration agreement will provide Lonza with broad access to the Israeli market and allow our portfolio companies to leverage Lonza’s expertise and innovative business models.”