Lonza Group stock gets 2028 outlook from Merck CDMO deal

Published on 11/11/2026 at 17:12 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Lonza Group stock remains tied to a five-site US expansion from Merck KGaA. The assets broaden Lonza's capabilities in complex drug manufacturing.

Lonza expands its US CDMO platform

The Merck transaction adds five US manufacturing sites and about 1,100 employees to Lonza.
The acquired network covers bioconjugates, payload-linkers, viral vectors and advanced drug-delivery technologies.
Closing is expected in mid-2027, subject to customary conditions.

Lonza Group, CH0013841017, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Lonza Group stock remains in focus after the company agreed on November 3, 2026, to acquire five US contract development and manufacturing sites from Merck KGaA. The transaction adds a more detailed financial outlook to the expansion story, with the acquired sites expected to generate around CHF 250 million in sales in full-year 2028.

Lonza said the acquired operations are expected to post a CORE EBITDA margin below the group's level initially. The company expects the business to reach Lonza's future group margin level by the mid-2030s as the sites are integrated and capacity is used more efficiently.

What changed in the transaction outlook

The deal covers facilities in St. Louis, Madison, Verona, Carlsbad and Indianapolis. Their capabilities include bioconjugates, high-potency payload-linkers, viral vectors, lipid nanoparticles, liposomes and PEGylated proteins, including aseptic fill-finish services.

About 1,100 employees are expected to join Lonza, lifting its US workforce to more than 6,000 and increasing its US CDMO site count from four to nine. The transaction is to be funded with cash on hand and existing credit facilities, while Lonza said its BBB+ rating would be maintained. The planned transaction does not affect the previously announced share buyback after the Capsules & Health Ingredients divestment closes.

Lonza Group stock traded at 716.50 euros on Lang & Schwarz at 17:06 CET on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.