Opus Genetics, Inc. is set to present detailed 6-month efficacy and safety data from its Phase 1/2 clinical trial of OPGx-LCA5, a gene therapy targeting LCA5-associated inherited retinal disease (IRD). The data will be shared at a virtual key opinion leader (KOL) event on December 11, 2024, at 4:00 PM ET.
Addressing LCA5-Associated IRD
Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a group of inherited retinal dystrophies, and the LCA5 subtype is caused by biallelic mutations in the LCA5 gene, which encodes the lebercilin protein. This condition leads to early-onset and severe visual impairment. Studies have indicated a dissociation between retinal structure and function in LCA5 patients, suggesting a window for therapeutic intervention through gene augmentation.
OPGx-LCA5: AAV-Based Gene Therapy Approach
OPGx-LCA5 employs an adeno-associated virus 8 (AAV8) vector to deliver a functional copy of the LCA5 gene directly to the outer retina. The therapy is currently under evaluation in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial at the University of Pennsylvania, designed to assess its safety and preliminary efficacy in individuals with IRD due to biallelic LCA5 mutations.
KOL Event Details
The virtual KOL event will feature presentations from leading experts in the field, including Jean Bennett, MD, PhD, and Tomas Aleman, MD, from the University of Pennsylvania, along with Christine Kay, MD, and Arshad Khanani, MD, MA, FASRS. These experts will discuss the current unmet needs in LCA5-associated IRDs, the future development plans for OPGx-LCA5, and the potential impact of Opus Genetics' therapeutic strategy. A live question and answer session will follow the presentations.
Expert Perspectives
"The development of targeted therapies for inherited retinal diseases like LCA5 is crucial," says Dr. Jean Bennett, a pioneer in gene therapy for retinal disorders. "OPGx-LCA5 represents a promising approach to address the underlying genetic defect and potentially improve visual outcomes for these patients."
Dr. Arshad Khanani, a leading investigator in retinal clinical trials, adds, "The 6-month data from the Phase 1/2 trial will provide valuable insights into the safety and efficacy of OPGx-LCA5. This is an important step forward in our efforts to develop effective treatments for inherited retinal diseases."
