Business
Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Establishes U.S. Commercial Operations Center in Rockville, Maryland
VICTORIA, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:AUPH) (TSX:AUP) (“Aurinia” or the “Company”), a late-stage clinical
About this update from Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc
[{"type":"text","content":" VICTORIA, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\n\nAurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:AUPH) (TSX:AUP) (“Aurinia” or the “Company”), a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing voclosporin in multiple indications, today announced that the Company has established its U.S. commercial center of operations in Rockville, Maryland. The new site will support Aurinia’s plans for growth as it prepares for the potential approval and launch of voclosporin for the treatment of lupus nephritis in 2021.\n\n\n“We are thrilled to announce the opening of our U.S. commercial offices in Montgomery County, Maryland, as we continue to advance the development of voclosporin, which has the potential to become the first-ever approved treatment for patients suffering from lupus nephritis. This important milestone follows the recent build-out of our commercial leadership team, as we move swiftly, yet responsibly, toward commercial readiness,” said Peter Greenleaf, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aurinia. “Maryland’s commitment to attracting and supporting leading innovators played a key role in our decision to establish Aurinia’s U.S. presence here. We look forward to joining and contributing to the ecosystem of top-notch biopharmaceutical companies and research institutions in Montgomery County, while we work to build a global company.”\n\n\nAurinia’s Rockville site at 77 Upper Rock Circle will initially occupy 30,000 square feet, with potential expansions to 120,000 square feet. The company plans to hire up to 100 employees in the first year and up to 500 employees as the company expands its operations. It is located within the I-270 life sciences and biotech corridor, which is widely recognized as a hotbed of leading innovation and industry talent.\n\n\nThe Maryland Department of Commerce has approved a $2 million conditional loan through Advantage Maryland, formerly the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF), which will be distributed in $1 million increments as each phase of the project is complete. Additionally, Montgomery County has approved a conditional grant of $350,000 per phase of the project, with the City of Rockville contributing $25,000 for each phase. The company is also eligible for Maryland’s Job Creation Tax Credit.\n\n\nAurinia also announced on February 25, 2020, the ap...