Microsize and Schedio Group Sign Agreement to Acquire Lonza’s Micro-Macinazione Facility in Switzerland, Advancing a Transatlantic Particle Engineering Platform
Microsize, a prominent contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) known for its leadership in particle size reduction, micronization, and advanced particle engineering technologies, has announced a major strategic expansion in Europe. The company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Micro-Macinazione (Mic Mac), the long-standing and highly specialized micronization facility located in Monteggio, Switzerland. The acquisition is being made through a transaction with Lonza, marking Microsize’s second major purchase from the multinational manufacturing company. This deal follows the successful 2022 acquisition of Lonza’s Quakertown, Pennsylvania, site, which has since become a cornerstone of Microsize’s U.S. operations.
In this new agreement, Microsize is partnering with Schedio Group, a Swiss-based engineering and technologies provider recognized for its expertise in jet mills, isolators, advanced containment systems, spray drying technologies, and process engineering solutions. As part of the acquisition, Schedio will co-invest in the Monteggio operation, establishing a deeper presence in Europe and aligning with Microsize to build a fully integrated global network for advanced particle engineering services.
Strengthening a Global Vision for Particle Engineering
For Microsize, the acquisition of Mic Mac represents far more than an expansion of physical capacity. It is a deliberate strategic move aimed at shaping the future of integrated particle engineering across the pharmaceutical lifecycle. Mic Mac, with over three decades of continuous operation, has been one of Europe’s most respected providers of GMP-compliant jet milling and micronization for both clinical-stage and commercial-stage drugs.
The Swiss facility brings with it a wealth of assets that immediately reinforce Microsize’s global strategy: strong regulatory credentials, a highly experienced technical workforce, established quality management systems, and a solid customer base that spans major pharmaceutical innovators, specialty pharma companies, and biotech manufacturers. With the addition of Mic Mac, Microsize significantly expands its footprint in Europe and gains the ability to offer customers seamless transatlantic support, from early development and feasibility studies to commercial-scale particle size control operations.
“The acquisition agreement represents a critical step in building Microsize into a global leader in particle engineering,” stated TJ Higley, CEO of Microsize. He emphasized that the Swiss site will integrate naturally with Microsize’s existing U.S. platform. “Mic Mac complements our U.S. operations perfectly—technically, operationally, and culturally. It gives our customers seamless access to high-quality services on both sides of the Atlantic, and expands our ability to support them from early development through commercial scale.”
The alignment of capabilities is especially important in today’s pharmaceutical environment, where precision in particle engineering has become central to achieving optimized bioavailability, manufacturability, and therapeutic effectiveness. By bringing Mic Mac into its network, Microsize is positioning itself as one of the most focused, specialized, and globally coordinated particle engineering service providers in the sector.
Lonza’s Perspective: A Smooth Transition and a Strengthened Specialized Services Market
Lonza, a major global manufacturing partner to the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, sees the transaction as a logical continuation of its collaboration with Microsize. The earlier divestment of the Quakertown site in 2022 created a strong operational and commercial relationship between the two companies. That history, combined with Microsize’s specialization and the stable nature of the Monteggio site, gives Lonza confidence that the transition will be efficient and beneficial for customers.
Jan Vertommen, Vice President, Commercial Development, Lonza Advanced Synthesis, commented: “Following Microsize’s acquisition of the Quakertown site in 2022, the acquisition of the Monteggio site will enable Microsize to provide customers specialized micronization services in both the U.S. and Europe. In view of the prior engagements between the companies involved in the transaction, we anticipate a smooth transition for the Mic Mac customers.”
The continuation of services without disruption is a priority shared by all parties. Both Microsize and Schedio have articulated their commitment to ensuring that existing customers of Mic Mac will maintain access to the site’s full capabilities, while also benefiting from renewed investment and enhanced technology.
Joint Investment with Schedio Group: Building the Next Generation of Particle Engineering Capabilities
A central feature of the transaction is the collaboration between Microsize and Schedio Group, which has established itself as a major provider of advanced processing equipment, waste-free containment systems, and precision-engineered jet milling technologies. The co-investment model not only accelerates Mic Mac’s modernization but also creates a synergy rarely seen in the CDMO industry—one that integrates deep process expertise with equipment innovation.
Schedio’s involvement signals an intention to transform the Monteggio site into a technology-forward hub for particle engineering, where equipment development and service delivery reinforce each other in real time. This is expected to reduce operational complexity, improve safety and containment performance, shorten development timelines, and introduce new process innovations more quickly to the market.
“Mic Mac is an excellent fit with our belief in the ‘Power of Together,’” said Mattia Wiedemeier, CCO of Schedio Group. “Together with Microsize, we will deliver not just capacity, but innovation and agility to customers who rely on us for safety, quality, and speed. This agreement to acquire Mic Mac supports our mission to lead the next generation of integrated particle engineering solutions.”
The partnership aims to create a European-American network that brings customers unprecedented flexibility—allowing them to strategically shift projects between regions, maintain dual-site support, or scale globally without compromising timelines or quality standards.
A Platform for Scale, Specialization, and Industry Leadership
From a strategic viewpoint, this acquisition positions Microsize at the center of a rapidly evolving pharmaceutical manufacturing landscape. As more therapeutic modalities require precise manipulation of particulate matter—from small molecules to increasingly complex new chemical entities—the demand for specialized particle size control is growing. Regulatory agencies continue to tighten expectations around process understanding and control, and pharmaceutical developers are increasingly selecting CDMOs that demonstrate both technical depth and geographic flexibility.
In this context, Microsize’s move to acquire Mic Mac serves as a catalyst for the next stage of its evolution.
Derek Hennecke, Chairman of Microsize, highlighted this long-term perspective, stating: “With Mic Mac, Microsize will become the most focused global platform for particle size control, spanning two continents and decades of operational excellence. This is a deliberate strategy to build scale and specialization in a market that rewards technical depth, customer trust, and execution.”
By anchoring operations on both sides of the Atlantic and deepening its investment in technical expertise, Microsize is constructing what could become the most comprehensive end-to-end particle engineering platform in the industry.
The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Microsize anticipates that the acquisition will be fully completed during the first quarter of 2026. After closing, Microsize and Schedio Group plan to begin phased modernization efforts, with a focus on equipment upgrades, facility optimization, digitalization, and enhanced customer support infrastructure.
Although the companies have not disclosed financial terms, both parties have confirmed that the long-term strategy centers on stability, continuity of service, and meaningful expansion of capabilities for current and future customers.
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