The 2021 collaboration between Abbvie and Regenxbio to develop an anti-VEGF gene therapy for chronic retinal diseases is a noteworthy deal in the gene therapy space. But for both clinical and commercial reasons, it is a one-off opportunity and not an indicator of the overall potential of gene therapies to address eye diseases. Interest in optogenetics, however, which is the introduction of light-sensing genes into cells in the eye to restore vison, may be on the rise.

The Basel-based major has swooped to buy fellow Swiss group Arctos in the belief that optogenetics is a promising therapeutic approach that might restore sight to patients who are legally blind.

French biotech GenSight Biologics reports top-line results from the Phase III REFLECT study, backing the efficacy of its lead gene therapy in a devastating eye disease, and prepares plans to commercialize the product.

French biotech GenSight will prioritize its optogenetic GS030 treatment after the combination showed breakthrough results in a form of blindness, its CEO tells Scrip.