Leber Congenital Amaurosis Research Advances

FDA Approves Spark’s Vision-Restoring Gene Therapy

Spark Therapeutics’ vision-restoring RPE65 gene therapy has received marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, becoming the first gene therapy to gain regulatory approval in the U.S. for the eye or any inherited condition. Known as LUXTURNA™ (voretigene neparvovec), the gene therapy restored vision in a clinical trial for people between the ages of 4 and 44 with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) caused by mutations in the gene RPE65. Study participants with severe vision loss reported putting away their navigational canes, seeing stars, being able to read, and recognizing faces of loved ones. Vision restoration has persisted for at least three years. The treatment is also designed to work for people with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) caused by RPE65 mutations. FFB invested about $10 million in more than a decade of lab research that made possible the RPE65 gene therapy clinical trial at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

Gene Therapy for LCA1 (GUCY2D Mutations) In Clinical Trial

With funding from the Foundation, Atsena is conducting a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for a gene therapy for people with LCA caused by mutations in the gene GUCY2D. The nine patients in the trial receiving the highest dose had improvements in retinal sensitivity and their ability to navigate a low-luminance mobility course. The treatment was developed by Shannon Boye, PhD, at the University of Florida.

Gene Therapy for LCA6 (RPGRIP1 Mutations)

Odylia is developing a gene therapy based on an adeno-associated virus for LCA caused by RPGRIP1 mutations. Future plans include generating a clinical-grade gene-therapy vector for toxicology studies, and ultimately, a clinical trial. Dr. Eric Pierce’s clinic at Mass Eye and Ear has also identified seven families with RPGRIP1 mutations. An earlier study showed that gene therapy rescued degenerating rods and cones in a mouse model of the condition.

ProQR's Phase 2/3 Clinical Trial for its LCA10 (CEP290) Therapy Doesn't Meet Endpoints

ProQR, an RNA therapy development company in the Netherlands, has reported that its Phase 2/3 ILLUMINATE clinical trial of sepofarsen did not meet its primary endpoint of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), nor did it meet secondary endpoints, which included mobility. The emerging RNA therapy was designed for people with Leber congenital amaurosis 10 (LCA10) caused by the mutation p.Cys998X in the gene CEP290. The company is seeking a partner to conduct further clinical research for sepofarsen.

RD Fund Launches Opus Genetics to Advance Gene Therapies for Inherited Retinal Diseases

The Retinal Degeneration Fund (RD Fund), the venture philanthropy arm of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, has launched Opus Genetics, a patient-focused gene therapy company targeting inherited retinal diseases. The company’s lead programs are licensed from the University of Pennsylvania and will focus on treatments to address mutations in genes that cause different forms of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Opus’s lead program, OPGx-001, is designed to address mutations in the LCA5 gene, which encodes the lebercilin protein. The company has received authorization to launch a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for its LCA5 gene therapy at the University of Pennsylvania. LCA5 is one of the most severe forms of LCA, affecting approximately one in 1.7 million people. The company’s second program, OPGx-002, will focus on restoring protein expression and halting functional deterioration in patients with retinal dystrophy caused by mutations in the RDH12 gene (LCA13), which affects one in 288,000 people. The company’s third program, OPGx-003, is for NMNAT1 (LCA9). Opus also acquired the rights to BEST disease and RP(RHO) gene therapies from Iveric Bio.

JANUARY 2023