Roche Holding has entered a definitive merger agreement with Spark Therapeutics, as the Swiss drugmaker seeks to expand its ability to treat rare diseases through gene therapies, as well as build its hemophilia portfolio.
The $4.3 billion deal for the Philadelphia biotech is part of Roche’s shift away from cancer treatments, where it’s long been the world’s biggest player.
The deal for Spark will give Roche Luxturna, a gene therapy for eye disease. The biotech also offers four products in clinical trials, along with early-stage development programs in rare disorders, including Huntington’s disease.
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