Biopharma Sarepta Therapeutics and Brammer Bio enter into a long-term strategic partnership to design and develop new manufacturing facilities at CDMO’s plant in Massachusetts. The new partnership is for the development of the production of its microdystrophin, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) therapy and future gene therapies.  The new project will value $100 Million and both partners have agreed to share equally in the investment. The new project is expected to be completed by 2019.  

The Companies stated that under the hybrid -internal and external development and production model, Sarepta will continue to develop internal expertise in all the AAV-based production features while Brammer Bio will supply manufacturing facilities. The new collaboration will blend process improvement, clinical testing and production, and commercial manufacturing with the aim of providing patients with microdystrophin gene therapies.

The facility, once completed is expected to meet the requirements for the unusually large demand for systemic administration of the microdystrophin therapy for DMD.

Doug Ingram, Sarepta’s president and CEO, said in a statement “Our hybrid approach help us to scale up both our internal expertise and capabilities and Brammer Bio’s capacity and expertise, allowing for minimal changes to the process to accelerate therapies for patients with DMD and LGMD (Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy)”.