Roche $4.8bn Buy Sparks Hemophilia Gene Therapy Race

25 Feb 2019

The Swiss major's proposed acquisition of Spark Therapeutics gives it a leading seat at the table in the emerging field of gene therapy.

Helix — Sparks start to fly in gene therapy M&A • Source: Shutterstock

Roche is buying gene therapy specialist Spark Therapeutics Inc. for $4.8bn to get hold of the latter's already approved Luxturna for inherited blindness and a pipeline that contains a couple of potential hemophilia A treatments that will boost the Swiss major's presence in the rare blood disease space.

The Basel-based company is splashing out $114.50 per share to acquire Spark, representing a premium of 122% on the US biotech’s closing price on Feb. 22 and 19% more than its 52-week high share price on July 9, 2018

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