BIA Separations, a biochromatography development and manufacturing company, is collaborating with AveXis, a Novartis company, to enhance the commercial purification process for its gene therapy pipeline, beginning with Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi), the first U.S. FDA-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 result of its expertise in viral and DNA purification, particularly adeno-associated virus (AAV), and chromatographic technology for the purification and analysis of biomolecules.
 
“We are proud to have been selected to support AveXis’ gene therapy pipeline,” said Aleš Štrancar, chief executive officer, BIA Separations. “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, AveXis, said, “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.”