BRIEF—Dutch biotech UniQure looking at options; report

Netherlands-based biotechnology firm UniQure is exploring options including a potential sale amid interest from pharmaceutical companies looking to expand in gene therapy, news service Bloomberg reported on Sunday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

UniQure is working with advisers as it weighs options including a sale or partnerships, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private.

Major pharmaceutical firms have been pursuing gene-therapy companies that promise to treat rare, debilitating diseases by correcting DNA flaws.

While the gene therapy field has yet to deliver a blockbuster, the promise of dramatic cures with multimillion-dollar price tags has triggered a flurry of deal activity, says Bloomberg.

UniQure developed Glybera (alipogene tiparvovec), the first gene therapy approved for sale in Europe, though the $1 million treatment had disappointing sales and the company said in April 2017 that  it would not renew its marketing authorization when it came up for renwal.

Since then, the company has focused on hemophilia treatments.

Commenting on the suggestions, Endpoint News notes that UniQure started the year with a share price of $28.53.

The stock closed at $72.55 on Friday, with a $2.74 billion market cap that would make it an easy bolt-on for any big player looking to either get into the game, and the shares gained 8.89% to $79.00 in pre-market trading this morning.