Roche Holding AG has temporarily halted shipments of the gene therapy Elevidys in some countries outside the U.S. following a similar move by U.S. partner Sarepta Therapeutics. The decision comes after the FDA requested a pause following the death of a patient undergoing the treatment.

After initially refusing to suspend Elevidys distribution after two deaths, Sarepta has now given in to the FDA’s request, noting the need to maintain a good working relationship with the regulator.

The head of the US Food and Drug Administration said the agency will “take a hard look” at a gene therapy from Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. after two patient deaths, adding pressure to the biotech company which also announced a third patient had recently died on a similar treatment.

The company refused the FDA’s request and will continue shipping its therapy, Elevidys, to Duchenne patients who can still walk. A pause on shipments to older, non-ambulatory patients remains in place.

Sarepta pauses U.S. Elevidys shipments to complete FDA-requested safety label updates, aiming to resume distribution in the fourth quarter.

A standoff over Elevidys could have major consequences for Duchenne patients, gene therapy companies and the perception of the FDA.

FDA places clinical hold on Sarepta's LGMD gene therapy trials after three deaths and revokes platform tech designation due to safety concerns.

Sarepta stock tanked Friday after a new patient death was uncovered, spurring an FDA request to halt shipments of an unrelated drug.