Roche has announced it will buy Spark Therapeutics for US$4.3 billion.

Philadelphia-based Spark Therapeutics discovers, develops and delivers gene therapies for genetic diseases, including blindness, haemophilia, lysosomal storage disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. It received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its expensive Luxturna treatment in 2017 to treat patients with mutation-associated retinal dystrophy - the first FDA-approved gene therapy for a genetic disease.

The needs of patients and families living with genetic diseases are immediate and their needs vast, said Spark Therapeutics CEO Jeffrey Marrazzo. “With its worldwide reach and extensive resources, Roche will help us accelerate the development of more gene therapies for more patients for more diseases and further expedite our vision of a world where no life is limited by genetic disease.”

Bloomberg said the deal raised the stakes further for gene therapy companies promising to treat rare, debilitating diseases by correcting inborn flaws in our DNA. “Purchasing Spark will put Roche near the front of the pack with Swiss neighbour Novartis in developing the promising new area of medicine and highlights growing enthusiasm for a field becoming the focus of a flurry of deals.”

Novartis agreed to pay US$S8.7 billion last year for AveXis’ Zolgensma DNA therapy for spinal muscular atrophy.

Spark Therapeutics will continue its operations in Philadelphia as an independent company within the Roche Group.