South Korean conglomerate SK Group continues its cross-border acquisitions of contract manufacturers, this time of French biologics specialist Yposkesi, marking a new push into the gene and cell therapy sector as it looks to become a global leader in the production of both innovative chemical drugs and biologics.

Trial of high-need gene therapy set to restart following the deaths of several participants and the lifting of a clinical hold imposed by the US FDA last year.

Audentes Therapeutics is aiming for regulatory submissions next year for its lead product, a skeletal muscle-targeted gene therapy, which continues to show promise in X-linked myotubular myopathy.

Novartis and Roche have announced additional interim clinical data as their candidate spinal muscular atrophy therapies near the marketplace.