Three companies launch gene therapy alliance for eye diseases

Today, the companies officially announced the launch of the GEAR partnership (Evaluation of Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Gene Therapy for the Retina) aimed at overcoming barriers and knowledge gaps in retinal dystrophies such as limited access, physical barriers, and lack of knowledge of receptors present on retinal cells. Currently, there are no specific vectors for these photoreceptor cells that can exclusively target the outer retina with low immunogenicity and low dosage.

Together the consortium aims to address this gap by leveraging their knowledge and using rational and combinatorial approaches guided by machine learning algorithms to generate and test AAV variants with high therapeutic potential in humans. “With the GEAR project, we will be able to have a significant impact on the field of retinal health and visual health,” said Deniz Dalkara, research director specializing in the development of viral vectors at the Vision Institute. By leveraging its platform, ADLIN will support WhiteLab Genomics and the Vision Institute in developing the next generation of AAV gene therapy vectorsthat are effective in transducing human retinal photoreceptors,

GEAR will start with a budget of €4m from by BPI France and funds from the Île-de-France region as part of the regional I-demo call for projects of the France 2030 plan, which aims to establish France as a European leader in the production of biopharmaceuticals by 2030. GEAR aligns with this vision and will position France as a global leader in AI-driven gene therapies.