Third Fatal Liver Failure Hits Sarepta Gene Trial

Sarepta SRPT has now seen a third fatal incident in its gene therapy trials due to acute liver failure. That happened last month in a limb girdle muscular dystrophy study and follows two teenage deaths in advanced Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. The trial was halted and Elevidys distribution paused for non walking patients.

The company reported the latest death promptly to regulators and agreed to alert doctors and patients about liver failure risks as the FDA requested. Talks are underway on how to protect non walking patients going forward.

To steady its finances, Sarepta will cut more than a third of its workforce and pause several drug programs. This move is expected to save around four hundred million dollars a year. Investors will watch closely for signs that these steps can rebuild confidence.