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Zurich (AFP)
The Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche announced Monday it has signed a contract of $ 4.3 billion (3.7 billion euros) for the acquisition of the US group Spark Therapeutics, specializing in the development of gene therapy drugs.
Roche said the transaction had been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, offering a share of $ 114.50, a premium of 122% over Spark's closing price on Friday.
Founded in 2013, Spark Therapeutics specializes in gene therapies, a rapidly expanding new segment of medicine, for genetic diseases such as blindness, hemophilia and neurodegenerative diseases.
His most important treatment in the study is SPK-8011, a hemophilia treatment, for which phase 3 clinical trials, the most advanced test stage, are expected to begin this year.
Luxturna, her treatment for a hereditary retinal disorder that can cause blindness, was the first gene therapy approved by US health authorities in 2017, Roche said.
The treatment was also approved last year by the European Union.
"As the only biotech company to have successfully commercialized gene therapy for a genetic disease in the United States, we have developed unparalleled skills in the discovery, development and delivery of genetic drugs," said Jeffrey D. Marrazzo, CEO of Spark Therapeutics, in: Roche's statement.
"But the needs of patients and families living with genetic diseases are immediate and their needs immense.
"With its global reach and extensive resources, Roche will help us accelerate the development of more gene therapies for more patients for more diseases and accelerate our vision of a world where no genetic disease will limit disease." life, "added Marrazzo.
© 2019 AFP
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