Sarepta - Cambridge -AP
Kristoffer Tripplaar/Sipa via AP

Sarepta Therapeutics said Tuesday that it will pay Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals $500 million in cash for a series of experimental RNA-based drugs to treat rare diseases in the muscle, nervous system, and lung. 

In addition to the upfront payment, Sarepta will also make a $325 million investment in Arrowhead, pay out $50 million a year for the next five years, and promise $300 million in “near-term” milestone payments related to clinical trial enrollment. Arrowhead could also receive royalties and other milestone payments collectively worth up to $10 billion, although most of those are contingent on sales.

advertisement

The deal represents the first significant investment Sarepta has made to expand its pipeline in years. 

STAT+ Exclusive Story

STAT+

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus daily coverage and analysis of the biotech sector — by subscribing to STAT+.

Already have an account? Log in

Monthly

$39

Totals $468 per year

$39/month Get Started

Totals $468 per year

Starter

$20

for 3 months, then $399/year

$20 for 3 months Get Started

Then $399/year

Annual

$399

Save 15%

$399/year Get Started

Save 15%

11+ Users

Custom

Savings start at 25%!

Request A Quote Request A Quote

Savings start at 25%!

2-10 Users

$300

Annually per user

$300/year Get Started

$300 Annually per user

View All Plans

To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+.

Subscribe