RD Fund Invests in Beacon Therapeutics to Advance XLRP Gene Therapy

The Retinal Degeneration Fund (RD Fund) participated in a $75 million financing round for Beacon Therapeutics to support the continued development of laru-zova, the company's gene therapy for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP). The financing was led by Life Sciences at Goldman Sachs Alternatives and included participation from existing investors.

The funding will help advance laru-zova toward potential approval as pivotal trial results approach. Beacon expects to report results from its Phase 2/3 VISTA clinical trial in the second half of 2026. The company will also use the investment to develop additional treatments in its pipeline, including therapies for geographic atrophy and an inherited cone-rod dystrophy.

XLRP is one of the most severe forms of retinitis pigmentosa, affecting approximately 14,000 people in the United States. The condition typically causes progressive vision loss starting in childhood or early adulthood. Currently, there are no approved treatments for XLRP.

"With no available treatment options, halting XLRP progression or restoring patients' vision would represent a life-changing breakthrough," said Rusty Kelley, PhD, MBA, Managing Director of the RD Fund. "Beacon’s mission is in the bulls eye of the Foundation’s, and we’re glad to support the development of their inherited retinal disease and dry age-related macular degeneration programs."

Laru-zova uses an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to deliver copies of the RPGR gene into retinal cells. The treatment is administered through a one-time injection underneath the retina. The majority of XLRP cases are caused by mutations in RPGR.

The RD Fund is the venture investment arm of the Foundation Fighting Blindness and invests in companies developing treatments for inherited retinal diseases and age-related macular degeneration.