AveXis, Novartis’s gene therapy unit, has signed a manufacturing agreement to produce a novel genetic COVID-19 vaccine candidate, AAVCOVID, being developed by U.S. researchers in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts General Hospital and Massachusetts Eye and Ear are developing a vaccine candidate leveraging adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector technology to produce immunity. The vaccine is in preclinical development with human trials expected in 2020 to determine safety and efficacy.

AveXis is contributing technology, expertise and manufacturing supply chain at no cost, according to the company.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is the most urgent public health crisis of our time and we recognize the significance of evaluating the potential role of a gene-based vaccine,” said AveXis President Dave Lennon, adding his company’s experience producing one of just two commercial gene therapies on the market makes it “uniquely poised to help the team move quickly toward this accelerated effort.”