Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., a developer of innovative RNA-based therapeutics, has agreed to acquire a multifunctional manufacturing facility in Massachusetts. Sarepta intends to use the facility to manufacture investigational exon skipping therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The transaction comprises approximately $25 million in acquisition costs and planned enhancements, and is expected to close in July subject to conditions and extensions in the agreement.

Sarepta focuses on the development of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) chemistries for RNA therapeutics. The company plans to use the facility to further enhance and scale its proprietary manufacturing processes for PMO chemistries. In addition, the facility will be used to manufacture drug supply to support clinical trials of Sarepta's exon skipping therapies for DMD, as well as research and development of future potential products and modified PMO chemistries.

The multifunctional facility was constructed in 1996 and upgraded in 2006, and has been qualified under cGMP. regulations. When fully operational, the facility supports approximately 40 technicians and support staff. In addition, the acquisition includes 26 acres of land available for future potential expansion.

Source: Sarepta Therapeutics