- Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (TSX:AUP) has established its US centre of commercial operations in Rockville, Maryland
- The company’s new location will occupy 30,000 square feet, with room for potential expansions in the future
- The site will support Aurinia as it continues to develop a potential treatment for lupus nephritis
- The company expects to create up to 100 jobs in its first year, plus another 400 potential jobs in future
- Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (AUP) is up 3.61 per cent, and is currently trading at C$16.95 per share
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (AUP) has announced the establishment of the company’s US commercial operations centre in Rockville, Maryland.
The opening represents the next step in Aurinia’s growth, as the company seeks to advance its lupus nephritis treatment plan.
Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys, caused by an autoimmune disease. Aurinia has been developing an immunosuppressant drug, voclosporin, as a potential treatment for the condition.
The company hopes to gain approval for the drug soon, in order to launch it in 2021.
Aurinia’s President and CEO, Peter Greenleaf, was thrilled to announce the opening of offices in Rockville.
“Maryland’s commitment to attracting and supporting leading innovators played a key role in our decision to establish Aurinia’s US presence here. We look forward to joining and contributing to the ecosystem of top-notch biopharmaceutical companies and research institutions in Montgomery County.
“We continue to advance the development of voclosporin, which could become the first-ever approved treatment for lupus nephritis.
“This important milestone follows the recent build-out of our commercial leadership team, as we move swiftly, yet responsibly, toward commercial readiness,” Peter said.
The new Rockville site will initially take up approximately 30,000 square feet. However, there is potential for the centre to expand up to 120,000 square feet in the future.
In its first year, Aurinia’s new centre of operations will create up to 100 new jobs. Company expansions in the future will also provide the opportunity to employ up to another 400 people.
The company and its new site are already benefiting from generous loans and grants provided by local and state bodies.
The Maryland Department of Commerce has approved a C$2 million conditional loan through Advantage Maryland. Aurinia will receive the loan in $1 million increments as each project phase finishes.
In addition, Montgomery County has approved a conditional grant of $350,000 per project phase. The City of Rockville will contribute $25,000 of that amount for each phase.
Finally, Aurinia is also eligible for Maryland’s Job Creation Tax Credit.
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals (AUP) is up 3.61 per cent, and is currently trading at $16.95 per share as of 11:33am EST.
