LEO Pharma to Acquire Replay for $50M to Boost Gene Therapy Pipeline
LEO Pharma has announced the acquisition of Replay, a gene therapy company specializing in treatments for rare genetic dermatological conditions. The deal involves an upfront payment of $50 million, supplemented by milestone payments and tiered single-digit royalties. This strategic move integrates Replay’s next-generation gene therapy platform into LEO Pharma’s pipeline, leveraging a high-payload herpes simplex virus (HSV) delivery vector. This technology is uniquely suited for delivering large genes to treat skin diseases at their source. Replay’s lead candidate, currently in preclinical studies, targets dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB), a severe condition causing fragile skin and chronic wounds. The therapy is formulated as a topical gel applied directly to the skin. Executives from both companies emphasized that combining Replay’s innovative HSV platform with LEO Pharma’s decades of leadership in medical dermatology and global infrastructure will accelerate the development of transformative therapies. The collaboration aims to address unmet needs for patients with rare genetic skin diseases and establish a strong franchise in rare genetic medicine, utilizing the natural tropism of HSV for skin cells and the ability to redose patients effectively.
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LEO Pharma to Acquire Replay for $50M to Boost Gene Therapy Pipeline
LEO Pharma has announced the acquisition of Replay, a gene therapy company specializing in treatments for rare genetic dermatological conditions. The deal involves an upfront payment of $50 million, supplemented by milestone payments and tiered single-digit royalties. This strategic move integrates Replay’s next-generation gene therapy platform into LEO Pharma’s pipeline, leveraging a high-payload herpes simplex virus (HSV) delivery vector. This technology is uniquely suited for delivering large genes to treat skin diseases at their source. Replay’s lead candidate, currently in preclinical studies, targets dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB), a severe condition causing fragile skin and chronic wounds. The therapy is formulated as a topical gel applied directly to the skin. Executives from both companies emphasized that combining Replay’s innovative HSV platform with LEO Pharma’s decades of leadership in medical dermatology and global infrastructure will accelerate the development of transformative therapies. The collaboration aims to address unmet needs for patients with rare genetic skin diseases and establish a strong franchise in rare genetic medicine, utilizing the natural tropism of HSV for skin cells and the ability to redose patients effectively.
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