Beacon Therapeutics has announced positive interim data from its Phase 2 DAWN trial evaluating laru-zova (laruparetigene zovaparvovec), a gene therapy for patients with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP). The six-month results, presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2025 Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, demonstrated improvements across several key visual function measures.
The DAWN study showed that patients treated with laru-zova experienced early improvements in low luminance visual acuity (LLVA), an important measure of visual function. Data revealed a greater number of two and three line improvements in treated study eyes compared to previously treated fellow eyes. Additionally, researchers observed early and sustained improvements in mean sensitivity as measured by microperimetry, indicating enhanced visual function.
"Over the past five years we have built a compelling body of safety and efficacy data on laru-zova across three different clinical studies," said Lance Baldo, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Therapeutics. "We are pleased to be sharing the 6-month data update from the DAWN Phase 2 study that continues to demonstrate laru-zova's potential to enhance vision in patients with XLRP, including improvements in multiple measures of visual function."
Understanding X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa
XLRP is a severe inherited retinal disease predominantly affecting males, with an incidence of approximately 1 in 25,000 males in the U.S., Europe, and Australia. The condition is typically caused by mutations in the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene, resulting in progressive photoreceptor loss over time. Visual dysfunction begins in childhood and often leads to blindness by middle age, with no currently approved treatments.
The disease represents a significant unmet medical need, as patients experience progressive vision loss that severely impacts quality of life and independence. Current management is limited to supportive care and monitoring disease progression.
Laru-zova: Mechanism and Development Status
Laru-zova is designed to restore the natural function of both rod and cone photoreceptors in XLRP by delivering a functional copy of the RPGRORF15 gene. The therapy uses a well-established vector with a proprietary capsid designed for high transduction of photoreceptors, and a codon-optimized gene to produce the full-length protein.
The treatment has received multiple regulatory designations highlighting its potential importance, including:
- Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) and Fast Track designations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Priority Medicines (PRIME) designation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA)
- Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) from the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
- Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) from both the FDA and EMA
Safety Profile and Tolerability
Safety data from the DAWN trial indicated that laru-zova was generally well-tolerated. Ocular treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were predominantly non-serious and mild or moderate in severity. Most adverse events were related to surgical procedures and steroids required by the protocol, and have since resolved.
Importantly, there were no suspected unexpected serious adverse reactions, retinal detachments, or endophthalmitis reported in the study, addressing key safety concerns for subretinal gene therapy administration.
DAWN Trial Design and Patient Population
The DAWN trial is an open-label study evaluating laru-zova in participants with XLRP who have previously been treated with a full-length AAV vector-based gene therapy targeting the RPGR protein. The study aims to assess two dose levels of laru-zova for efficacy, safety, and tolerability in the untreated eye of participants who previously received gene therapy for XLRP.
This unique trial design allows for within-patient comparisons between the newly treated eye and the previously treated fellow eye, potentially providing valuable insights into the relative efficacy of laru-zova compared to other gene therapy approaches.
Dr. Mark Pennesi, Director of Ophthalmic Genetics at the Retina Foundation in Dallas, Texas, and Professor at Oregon Health and Science University, presented the data at the ARVO meeting.
Advancing Clinical Development
In parallel with the DAWN study, Beacon Therapeutics is continuing to enroll patients in its pivotal Phase 2/3 VISTA trial of laru-zova for patients with XLRP. The VISTA study (NCT04850118) is a randomized, controlled, masked, multi-center pivotal study evaluating the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of laru-zova in two study groups compared to an untreated control group.
The VISTA trial will evaluate the proportion of participants with a 15 or more letter increase from baseline in LLVA and additional measures of functional vision, providing more comprehensive data on the potential benefits of laru-zova.
Company Background
Beacon Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on saving and restoring the vision of patients with blinding retinal diseases. Beyond its lead program in XLRP, the company has two preclinical programs targeting dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and an inherited cone-rod dystrophy (CRD).
The company's investors include Syncona Limited, Forbion, Oxford Science Enterprises, TCGX, and Advent Life Sciences. Syncona Ltd, which announced the positive data through a press release, is a portfolio investor in Beacon Therapeutics.
As the clinical development of laru-zova progresses, the therapy represents a potential breakthrough for patients with XLRP who currently face progressive vision loss with no approved treatment options.
