Cambrex partners with Eli Lilly to boost biotech manufacturing capabilities

In East Rutherford, New Jersey, on December 5, 2024, Cambrex, a global leader in contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), announced a strategic agreement with Eli Lilly and Company. This collaboration aims to provide enhanced clinical development capabilities for biotech collaborators of Lilly. Under this partnership, Cambrex will be working closely with Lilly's Catalyze360-ExploR&D division, specifically focusing on delivering essential drug substance and drug product services, alongside analytical service laboratories and research and development expertise. The deal is expected to significantly accelerate the product development process for biotech entities associated with Lilly. Lilly's initiative, Catalyze360, is dedicated to fostering external innovations and accelerating the journey of emerging medicines through three core components: Lilly Ventures, Lilly Gateway Labs, and Lilly ExploR&D. The collaboration with Cambrex specifically leans on the ExploR&D pillar, which is designed to integrate scientific knowledge and successful research and development practices to expedite the advancement of partner science. This strategic alliance provides a more practical framework for Lilly’s biotech collaborators by leveraging Cambrex's established manufacturing resources and expertise. The primary services outlined in the agreement will be conducted at Cambrex’s facility in Longmont, Colorado, where they possess the requisite capabilities to develop and test early-stage small molecules while ensuring cGMP compliance. This facility is recognized for its flexibility and scientific excellence, which are imperative for the rapid progression of biotech products into clinical trials. By combining forces with Lilly, Cambrex expresses its commitment to enable these innovators to hasten their product development, thereby promoting rapid advancements in biotechnology and emerging therapies. Cambrex’s President of Early Stage Development & Testing, Brandon Fincher, commented on this cooperation, emphasizing the importance of supporting Lilly's mission to facilitate the work of biotech collaborators. With this agreement, Cambrex aims to navigate the complexities of biotech product development efficiently, ensuring that new therapeutic products reach the clinic in a timely manner. Ultimately, this partnership is expected to enhance the capabilities of Lilly's external collaborators, driving innovation in the biotechnology field and advancing patient care through the expedited delivery of new drug modalities into the marketplace.