Former AveXis staffer to lead AGC Biologics’ Longmont plant

LONGMONT —  The new general manager of the AGC Biologics Inc. plant in Longmont likely will not need to look up directions to his new office.

Tony Fraij, who will lead the pharmaceutical company’s giant new manufacturing facility at 4000 Nelson Road, recently worked for the site’s previous occupant AveXis Inc. as vice president of technical operations, according to his LinkedIn profile. 

His experience also includes leadership roles with Boehringer Ingelheim, a German pharmaceutical company; and Sandoz Inc., which shuttered its massive Broomfield bioscience facility two years ago. 

“We are excited to add Tony as another talented leader within the AGC Biologics organization. He brings a wide range of international experience and excellent leadership skills,” AGC Biologics executive vice president of U.S. operations J.D. Mowery said in a prepared statement. “I am confident that Tony will lead the Longmont site to great success, playing a crucial role in integrating the team into our global network.” 

AGC announced last month that it intended to buy the six-building, 692,00-square-foot manufacturing campus, which AveXis bought for $30 million in 2019.

“The Longmont facility is just one of the company-wide expansion initiatives that AGC Biologics has been working on,” AGC Biologics CEO Patricio Massera said in a statement. “With our ongoing global expansion, we look forward to continuing to help our partners bring life-saving treatments to the market.”

The company said last week it had finalized it’s purchase of the Longmont site but has not disclosed a price. The transaction has yet to be recorded by Boulder County. 

The Nelson Road facility will be used to develop and manufacture cell and gene therapies.

AGC is a relatively new player on Boulder County’s biosciences scene, acquiring AstraZeneca’s Boulder plant for $39.7 million in 2020.

In addition to the new operation in Longmont, the company plans to expand the 178,000-square-foot Boulder facility by 126,000 square feet.

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