Canadian biopharm company to open operations in Maryland

03/17/2020| Karen Glenn Hood

Canadian biopharm company to open operations in Maryland

03/17/2020 | Karen Glenn Hood

Canadian company Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. is planning to open commercial operations in Rockville, Md., as it expands its reach into the U.S.

The late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical business, which is focused on developing and commercializing innovative products to treat debilitating diseases, is opening the new facility as it prepares for the potential approval and launch of voclosporin, an investigational drug to treat lupus nephritis, in 2021.

Based in British Columbia, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals could bring up to 500 new jobs to the region over the next seven years.

"The state’s commitment to attracting and supporting leading innovators played a key role in our decision to establish Aurinia’s U.S. presence here," said Peter Greenleaf, president and CEO of Aurinia. "We look forward to joining and contributing to the ecosystem of top-notch biopharmaceutical companies and research institutions in Montgomery County, while we build a global company.”

Aurinia’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 it expands operations.

“We are excited to welcome Aurinia and all of the new life sciences jobs the company will bring to Maryland,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Our highly-educated workforce, proximity to many key federal agencies and labs, and critical mass of life sciences companies and resources makes our state the ideal place for a growing company like Aurinia to continue its life-saving work developing transformative therapies.”

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