Sarepta Therapeutics is pausing shipments of its gene therapy for muscular dystrophy following several patient deaths that have attracted attention from regulators.

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

When three patients die after taking a cutting-edge drug, most companies hit the brakes. Not Sarepta Therapeutics. The Massachusetts-based biotech company is under fire for refusing a request from the U.