Sarepta, continuing its gene therapy push, helps launch a startup

BIOPHARMA DIVE, Oct. 22, 2020. AavantiBio joins a couple large, powerful companies in the hunt for a gene therapy to treat Friedreich's ataxia. Pfizer and Novartis are each working on their own programs. Outside of gene therapy, Reata Pharmaceuticals disclosed last year positive data from a study that tested an oral drug, known as omaveloxolone, in patients with Friedreich's ataxia. Reata said it intends to file the drug for approval based on those results.