Building its gene therapy presence, Roche has agreed to license the ex-US rights to Sarepta Therapeutics’ gene therapy SRP-9001, (AAVrh74.MHCK7.micro-dystrophin), for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The parties anticipate that the agreement will close in the first quarter of 2020. The deal, of which Roche will pay US$1.15 B upfront, comes just days after Roche completed its buyout of Spark Therapeutics following months of delays by the US antitrust regulator.