Lonza agrees to acquire five Merck KGaA US CDMO facilities to expand advanced biologics manufacturing
Lonza has agreed to acquire five US contract development and manufacturing facilities from Merck KGaA, strengthening its capabilities in advanced biologics, bioconjugation, viral vectors and specialised drug delivery.
The definitive agreement announced on 3 November 2026 covers facilities and associated businesses across Missouri, Wisconsin, California and Indiana, with approximately 1,100 employees expected to transfer and Lonza's US CDMO network set to expand from four to nine sites.
The acquisition is expected to close in mid-2027 subject to customary conditions, while the companies have described the enterprise valuation using differing approximate currency ranges without confirming a precise transaction price.
Field | Content |
Article Type | Deals |
Acquirer | Lonza |
Seller | Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany |
Deal Type | Definitive agreement to acquire US CDMO facilities and associated businesses |
Announcement Date | 3 November 2026 |
Transaction Status | Agreed; closing pending |
Expected Closing | Mid-2027 |
Number of Facilities Acquired | Five |
Geographic Scope | United States |
Facility States | Missouri; Wisconsin; California; Indiana |
Current Lonza US CDMO Sites | Four |
Potential Lonza US CDMO Sites After Closing | Nine |
Employees Expected to Transfer | Approximately 1,100 |
Business Category | Contract development and manufacturing organisation |
Acquired Capability | Bioconjugation |
Additional Capability | High-potency payload-linker manufacturing |
Advanced Therapy Capability | Viral-vector manufacturing |
Drug Delivery Capability | Advanced drug-delivery technologies |
Therapeutic Applications | Biologics and advanced therapeutic manufacturing |
Lonza Valuation Description | Low-to-mid triple-digit millions of Swiss francs |
Seller Valuation Description | Mid-triple-digit millions of euros |
Exact Transaction Price | Not disclosed as a single confirmed amount in supplied summary |
Closing Conditions | Subject to customary transaction conditions |
What Happened | Lonza agreed to acquire five US CDMO facilities and associated businesses from Merck KGaA. |
Why It Matters | The acquisition would substantially expand Lonza's US manufacturing footprint and add specialised capabilities supporting complex biologics and advanced therapies. |
Strategic Rationale | Strengthen US-based CDMO capacity, broaden advanced manufacturing services and expand capabilities across the biologics supply chain. |
Transaction Distinction | Definitive acquisition agreement; transaction not yet completed. |
Key Takeaway | Lonza plans to add five US facilities and approximately 1,100 employees, potentially expanding its US CDMO network to nine sites. |
What to Watch | Regulatory approvals, closing conditions, employee transfers, site integration, customer continuity and capacity expansion. |
Primary Source | Lonza |
Primary Source URL | https://www.lonza.com/news/2026-11-03-07-00 |
Relevant Date | 3 November 2026 |
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