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Tiny U.K. Biotech Takes On Glaxo’s $730,000 Gene Therapy

  • Orchard’s version may reach more ‘bubble-boy disease’ patients
  • Startup might be of interest as partner, Orchard CEO says
David Vetter, also known as Bubble Boy, interacts with medical professionals from inside a specially constructed sterile plastic bubble.

David Vetter, also known as Bubble Boy, interacts with medical professionals from inside a specially constructed sterile plastic bubble.

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GlaxoSmithKline Plc has seen precious few takers for its $730,000 gene therapy for a rare and life-threatening immune illness known as “bubble-boy disease.” Now a tiny startup thinks it can succeed where the U.K.-based giant is struggling.

In almost two years since Glaxo’s Strimvelis came to the market, just five patients have received the treatment, offered only through a single center in Milan. Orchard Therapeutics Ltd., a closely held company in London with about 80 employees and no products on the market, is preparing to sell a competing version that may reach more sick children.