BioCentury
ARTICLE | Product Development

Oct. 23 Quick Takes: Ultragenyx, Solid in DMD gene therapy deal; plus IAVI- Merck KGaA-Serum Institute, BiondVax, Retrophin-Orphan Technologies, and more

October 24, 2020 2:12 AM UTC

Ultragenyx, Solid Bio in deal for DMD gene therapy
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ:RARE) is collaborating with Solid Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ:SLDB) to develop a gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The companies will use Solid’s microdystrophin construct and Ultragenyx’s manufacturing platform. Solid will receive $40 million in an upfront equity investment from Ultragenyx at $5.11 per share, and is eligible for $255 million in milestones, plus royalties. Solid gained $0.37 to $3.80 on Friday.

IAVI, Merck KGaA, Serum Institute partner on anti-COVID mAb
The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), Merck KGaA (Xetra:MRK) and the Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. have partnered to develop a neutralizing mAb against SARS-CoV-2 that is slated to enter the clinic in early 2021. Merck will lead commercialization of the mAb — described by IAVI and The Scripps Research Institute scientists in Science — in developed countries and the Serum Institute will lead commercialization in low- and middle-income countries as well as global manufacturing...