Bachem (SIX: BANB) announced today that it has entered a strategic collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company to develop and manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients based on oligonucleotides, a rising new class of complex molecules.
Under the terms of the agreement, Bachem will provide the appropriate engineering infrastructure and expertise to implement Lilly’s novel oligonucleotide manufacturing technology. Furthermore, Bachem will provide R&D and production personnel at its facilities in Bubendorf, Switzerland, for the development and manufacture of GMP-grade material for Lilly’s oligonucleotide-based investigational medicines using Lilly’s technology.
Lilly commits to placing manufacturing projects with Bachem over the next seven years with increasing material supply demands following successful implementation of Lilly’s oligonucleotide manufacturing technology. The annual order volume has the potential to achieve around CHF 100 million, depending on Bachem reaching certain milestones and definite volumes ordered by Lilly.

Therapeutic oligonucleotides are short single or double-stranded fragments of DNA or RNA. Because of their unique properties, oligonucleotides as therapeutics open access to previously “undruggable” targets not accessible with small molecule drugs or biologics. Initially used within orphan diseases with small patient populations, scientific progress has led to a broad expansion of drug development projects on oligonucleotide-based therapeutics in the biopharma industry. This increasing demand and the promise of addressing larger patient groups require the production of oligonucleotide-based active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) at a larger scale and with new processing solutions.
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Bachem is a leading, innovation-driven company specializing in the development and manufacture of peptides and oligonucleotides.
With over 50 years of experience and expertise Bachem provides products for research, clinical development and commercial application to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide and offers a comprehensive range of services.
Bachem operates internationally with headquarters in Switzerland and locations in Europe, the US and Asia. The company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
Bachem Holding AG
Dr. Daniel Grotzky
Head Group Communications
Media: media[at]bachem.com
Investors: ir[at]bachem.com