Exonics takeout, expanded CRISPR deal vault Vertex into neuromuscular diseases

Via a pair of deals totaling $420 million in upfront payments late Thursday, Vertex expanded into neuromuscular diseases and bolstered its gene editing capabilities by acquiring Exonics, broadening its partnership with CRISPR Therapeutics and hiring Audentes’ former CSO. The deals give the big biotech a new focus on deploying gene editing tech for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1).

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:VRTX), which has no dystrophy therapies in its pipeline, will acquire Exonics Therapeutics Inc. (Boston, Mass.) for $245 million up front. Exonics shareholders are eligible for a total of about $1 billion, including the upfront payment and developmental and regulatory milestones...