In assessing this development, Sarepta's decision to file an NDA for their next DMD drug in the pipeline suggests an accelerated growth strategy, as golodirsen wasn't expected to be commercialized until 2020. Sarepta is likely pursuing this strategy for 2 reasons: 1) to take a clear lead in the DMD space in terms of market share for therapies, and 2) to execute on a their vision to be "one of the most important genetic medicine companies in the next five years," according to CEO Douglas Ingram. 

There is a need to go at a feverish pace if Sarepta wants to achieve this vision. According to the WSJ, competitors Novartis and Spark Therapeutics have taken a lead in the precision genetic medicine field. Following the JP Morgan conference, the largest annual health care conference, the discussion and exploration of gene therapy has gained significant public traction. Sarepta likely felt increasing pressure from shareholders after this conference at the beginning of the year to make a bold splash in a competitive gene therapy market. Getting this product commercialized quickly sets the company up for financial success over time and makes a statement that Sarepta is a name to compete with in genetic medicine development.