AveXis, a Novartis gene-therapy company headquartered in Bannockburn, Illinois, plans to invest an additional $60 million to expand its manufacturing center in Durham County, North Carolina to manufacture medicines for rare genetic diseases. Avexis had previously announced plans in 2018 to invest $55 million to build the manufacturing center.

The $60-million investment will create an additional 200 positions in Durham County, including scientists, engineers, analysts, manufacturing and operations personnel.

AveXis’ initial product candidate, AVXS-101, Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi), is an investigational gene-replacement therapy for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) Type 1. Zolgensma is designed to address the genetic root cause of SMA Type 1, a neuromuscular disease with limited treatment options. Zolgenma previously received breakthrough therapy designation and has been granted priority review by the US Food and Drug Administration, with regulatory action anticipated in May 2019.

Source: Office of the North Carolina Governor and North Carolina Department of Commerce