Gene Therapy

© GettyImages/AlexanderFord

Ocular gene therapy biotech launches with $19M seed funding

By Jane Byrne

This month sees the launch of a new gene therapy player, Opus Genetics, a company backed and spun out by leading patient group Foundation Fighting Blindness’ venture arm, the Retinal Degeneration Fund (RD Fund).

© GettyImages/janiecbros

EU go-ahead for bluebird bio gene therapy for CALD

By Jane Byrne

Bluebird’s Lenti-D, or elivaldogene autotemcel, has won approval from the European Commission to treat children with a rare neurodegenerative disease called early cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CALD).

© GettyImages/metamorworks

Gamma Biosiences takes majority stake in Mirus Bio

By Jane Byrne

Gamma Biosciences has taken a controlling investment in Mirus Bio, an innovator and developer of biomimetic, cell-adaptive lipid-polymer nanocomplexes (LPNCs) for nucleic acid delivery based in Wisconsin in the US.

Pic:getty/dolgachov

Janssen acquires rights to novel AMD gene therapy

By Rachel Arthur

Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has acquired the rights to Hemera Biosciences’ investigational gene therapy HMR59: which has been designed to help preserve vision in patients with severe age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

© GettyImages/metamorworks

Addressing cell and gene treatment affordability

By Jane Byrne

A panel discussion at the Reuters Events' Cell & Gene Therapy Conference USA 2020 looked at the key challenges in the cell and gene therapy (CGT) space, namely affordability and access, and how to circumvent those.

AGTC's clinical pipeline is focused on rare genetic eye diseases, but is expanding. Pic:getty/drpas

Using HSV helper viruses to increase AAV production

By Nick Taylor

Recognizing the industry-wide need to improve adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector manufacturing, Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) has adopted changes intended to increase yield and purity.