Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. announced that the company plans to temporarily pause all shipments of its gene therapy to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Elevidys, in a reversal of its prior stance.

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.

Sarepta Therapeutics ( NASDAQ: SRPT) faces an “arduous and treacherous path” to bring its gene therapy Elevidys back to market, according to a STAT report citing a senior FDA official, suggesting the treatment’s license could be revoked amid ongoing safety concerns.

Shares of Sarepta Therapeutics fell nearly 7% on Tuesday after the company agreed to comply with the U.S. health regulator's request to pause all shipments of its gene therapy Elevidys in the United States.

Shipments will halt by close of business Tuesday evening, the company said. Sarepta had initially rejected the agency’s request, which was issued Friday.

Sarepta Therapeutics said it will voluntarily “and temporarily” pause all shipments of Elevidys® (delandistrogene moxeparvovec-rokl), the marketed Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) treatment linked to the deaths of two patients this year.

Sarepta officials said the temporary halt in shipments was done to maintain a productive working relationship with regulators while they address a safety labeling update about the risk of acute liver disease related to Elevidys.

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 regulator had asked Sarepta Therapeutics to halt all shipments of its therapy, Ele­vidys, after three patients died from liver failure after taking it or a similar treatment.