Partnership to Advance Gene Therapy Pipeline

Biochromatography development and manufacturing company BIA Separations is collaborating with AveXis, a Novartis company, to enhance the commercial purification process for its gene therapy pipeline. The initiative will begin with a focus on Zolgensma® (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi), the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved gene therapy indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who are less than two years of age.

Zolgensma is a one-time infusion that provides a functional copy of the human SMN gene to halt disease progression through sustained SMN protein expression.  BIA was selected as a partner for its expertise in viral and DNA purification, particularly adeno-associated virus (AAV), and chromatographic technology for the purification and analysis of biomolecules.

Aleš Štrancar, CEO of BIA Separations commented: “We are proud to have been selected to support AveXis’ gene therapy pipeline. We look forward to seeing how Zolgensma helps the SMA community and the whole BIA team is honored to be a part of this important work.”

Andy Stober, Senior Vice President of Technical Operations for AveXis added: “We are especially grateful that BIA Separations shared, and operated, with the same sense of urgency we did to help bring gene therapy to the SMA community. BIA’s experience with AAV purification and its chromatographic technology were important contributions and we look forward to our continued work together.”