Copenhagen, Denmark and Basel, Switzerland–Chr. Hansen Holding A/S and Lonza AG announced that they have received the necessary approvals from anti-trust regulators to establish BacThera--a 50/50 joint venture in the emerging market for live biotherapeutic products.

BacThera will be headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and is now engaging with its first customers, according to a press release. BacThera will upgrade existing facilities in Hørsholm, Denmark, and equip new facilities in Basel, Switzerland to serve pre-clinical to phase II projects over the coming months, the companies reported. Facilities for phase III and commercial manufacturing will be developed as the pipeline matures.

AsWholeFoodspreviously reported in April 2019, the joint venture will carry leading competences in handling, formulating, manufacturing, characterizing, and encapsulating anaerobe bacteria. Marc Funk, CEO of Lonza, said at that time: “Our customers will be able to draw on the unrivaled skillset of two world experts that master the exacting processes required for production of strict anaerobic microbes through to formulation and dosage forms. We understand the complexities of bringing pharmaceuticals to market, including the evolving regulatory environment and will offer unique development and pharma-grade manufacturing that addresses an unmet need in the industry, enabling customers to deliver therapies for patients.”
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An overall investment of EUR 90 million (US $99m) will be shared equally between Chr. Hansen and Lonza, over a three-year period. Beyond that, according to the release, BacThera is expected to be largely self-funding.