COLUMBUS, OH, Nov 20, 2023 – Battelle, Andelyn Biosciences, Inc., and AmplifyBio, have been awarded a new task order from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) to manufacture suspension process gene therapy for the transformative treatment of Aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU).

Battelle is the world’s largest independent nonprofit research and development organization; Andelyn Biosciences, Inc., is a pioneering and patient focused cell and gene therapy Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), and AmplifyBio is a drug development and commercialization partner for advanced therapies.

NINDS, via its Ultra-rare Gene-based Therapy (URGenT) network, is funding a cooperative agreement for the manufacturing of plasmids and AAV gene therapy, and GLP preclinical studies, for AGU which is a severe and progressive genetic neurological disorder. Andelyn will manufacture the gene of interest plasmid, packaging/helper plasmids, and AAV vector, while AmplifyBio will perform IND-enabling GLP preclinical studies and Battelle will provide assay support for the ELISA and enzyme activity portions of the studies.

The Task Orders follow the announcement made earlier this year of the team of Battelle, AmplifyBio and Andelyn Biosciences winning a seat on an eight-year, $149 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle from NINDS.

Matt Niloff, Chief Commercial Officer of Andelyn, said: “The path to gene therapy commercialization for the treatment of rare and prevalent genetic diseases requires innovators and expert service providers working collaboratively toward a common goal. The partnership formed here exemplifies such a model, maximizing the potential for curative therapies and providing hope for those suffering from debilitating genetic diseases like AGU.”

Dr. Mark J. Perry, Director of Business Development of AmplifyBio, said: “We are passionate to support acceleration of the advancement of novel therapeutics to waiting patients, and proud to be able to bring our expansive preclinical neuroscience study expertise to the partnership of our central Ohio based team”

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with these two forward-thinking, innovative companies,” said Greg Kimmel, General Manager of Battelle’s Health business unit. “By combining our strengths, we have an opportunity to make a true impact using gene therapy to address this disease.”

With Andelyn’s GMP manufacturing capabilities now established at the state of the art 180,000 square foot Andelyn Corporate Center (ACC), Andelyn is proud to offer its clients exceptional quality and large-scale suspension clinical and commercial manufacturing in the Columbus, Ohio biotech hub. The ACC augments Andelyn’s two other Columbus facilities offering pre-clinical process development and plasmid manufacturing.