Lonza Acquires Rapid Microbial Testing Firm Redberry SAS to Accelerate Quality Control in Pharma Industry

Swiss contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Lonza has announced its acquisition of French rapid microbiology testing firm Redberry SAS, in a strategic move to enhance and expedite quality control testing for the pharmaceutical industry. The deal, revealed on October 27, 2025, aims to address the growing demand for faster product releases without compromising safety or regulatory compliance.

Redberry's Innovative Technology

Redberry SAS specializes in rapid sterility and bioburden testing using solid-phase cytometry (SPC). The company's flagship product, the Red One technology, is an automated platform capable of detecting microbial contamination in just four days. This represents a significant improvement over traditional sterility testing methods, which typically require a minimum 14-day incubation period.

The accelerated timeline offered by Redberry's technology is particularly crucial for pharmaceutical companies producing short shelf-life products. Redberry announced the validation of its GMP-compliant technology in April, paving the way for its integration into pharmaceutical quality control processes.

Strategic Implications for Lonza

Mike Goetter, Lonza's head of bioscience, specialized modalities, described the acquisition as "a strategic step forward in reducing risk, ensuring right first-time delivery and enhancing efficiency across the industry." He further emphasized the benefits of integrating Redberry's cutting-edge technology into Lonza's portfolio:

"By integrating this cutting-edge technology into our portfolio, we are empowering customers with faster and simpler tools that lower compliance costs. It will also support scale-up, process and product integrity for biologics and cell and gene therapy production."

The acquisition is expected to strengthen Lonza's quality control offerings, particularly in the rapidly growing fields of biologics and cell and gene therapies. By incorporating Redberry's rapid testing capabilities, Lonza aims to provide its clients with more efficient and cost-effective quality control solutions.

Future Outlook and Deal Completion

Jonathan Macron, CEO of Redberry, expressed optimism about the acquisition, stating that Lonza's global reach and expertise will help scale the technology "to meet the growing needs of pharmaceutical and industrial manufacturers, accelerate product release and benefit patients worldwide."

While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the acquisition is expected to close by the end of the year. This strategic move by Lonza reflects the increasing importance of rapid and reliable quality control measures in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly as complex biologics and cell and gene therapies become more prevalent.