Gene therapy makers slide on reports that FDA official Peter Marks resigns

Shares of gene therapy makers and developers slide premarket after WSJ and other media outlets report that Peter Marks, a top official at the US FDA, has been pushed out of the agency

Marks was the head of FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) and introduced several programs to accelerate the development of gene and cell therapies during his tenure

Taysha Gene Therapies TSHA.O down 10.9% at $1.72 premarket, Solid Biosciences SLDB.O down 7.2% at $4.01, US-listed shares of CRISPR Therapeutics CRSP.O down 3.8% at $35.60

"Gene and cell therapies likely under increased pressure, given CBER and Marks' intimate relationship with many of these companies and programs," says BMO Capital Markets analyst Evan Seigerman

Marks did not respond to Reuters' request for comment

Marks was given the choice by a Health and Human Services official to resign or be fired, according to WSJ, which also reported that his resignation is effective April 5