With a joint budget of CHF 5.9 million over 10 years, the collaboration aims to enhance product development and production processes through digital transformation and advanced technologies. Today, more than 35 specialists from Lonza and HES-SO Valais-Wallis are actively engaged in joint research and development projects.
The partnership is designed to improve Lonza’s competitiveness by fostering innovation, digitalization, and process optimization. Regular meetings are held between project teams and domain experts to exchange ideas, align research priorities, and identify new promising project opportunities.
Research activities within the ABL span several key areas, including data science, process modeling, machine learning and artificial intelligence, digital twins, sustainability, strain design, and analytical development. By 2025, the collaboration is expected to include around 10 ongoing projects, with timelines ranging from 6 to 48 months.
The joint effort has already produced significant results, such as scientific publications, method and service development, and successful third-party funding, demonstrating the broad interest and impact of the work being carried out.
In addition to the research work, the ABL also promotes community and scientific exchange among its members. This year’s Advanced Biomanufacturing Laboratory – Autumn Session took place at Arkanum in Salgesch on October 29th, in a friendly yet highly scientific atmosphere. The event provided an excellent opportunity for participants from Lonza and HES-SO to connect, look beyond their individual projects, and explore new collaboration opportunities. Each project team presented a poster showcasing their ongoing work, sparking lively discussions and inspiring ideas for future joint initiatives between School of Engineering and Lonza.
By combining academic expertise and industrial experience, Lonza and Institute of Life Sciences continue to pave the way for the next generation of biomanufacturing technologies, reinforcing the region’s position as a center of excellence in digital and sustainable biotechnology.