Columbus, Ohio-based Nationwide Children's Hospital and Cambridge, Mass.-based RNA-targeted therapeutics provider Sarepta Therapeutics entered into a research and option agreement on the hospital's microdystrophin gene therapy program.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sarepta Theraputics will retain an exclusive option to license the program and will assist with research. Initial trials of the program will take place at Nationwide Children's in late 2017.
"Given the complexities of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, we know that it is going to require multiple treatment approaches," said Edward Kaye, CEO of Sarepta Therapeutics. "With that goal in mind, we are excited to support clinical development for Nationwide's gene therapy program with the goal to help all boys with DMD."