VeonGen Therapeutics, formerly known as ViGeneron, has received Rare Pediatric Disease Designation (RPDD) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its lead gene therapy VG801, marking a significant regulatory milestone for the treatment of ABCA4 mutation-associated retinal dystrophy. The Munich-based clinical-stage genetic medicine company announced the designation alongside its corporate rebranding on June 5, 2025.
Clinical Development Progress
VG801, a novel dual AAV gene therapy, is currently being evaluated in a first-in-human Phase 1/2 clinical trial with patient dosing underway. The investigational therapy targets patients with biallelic ABCA4 mutations linked to Stargardt disease and related retinal dystrophies. Concurrently, VeonGen is developing a functional endpoint in collaboration with the FDA through the Rare Disease Endpoint Advancement (RDEA) pilot program.
The therapy addresses Stargardt disease, the most common inherited retinal disease affecting about 1 in 8,000 to 10,000 people worldwide and a leading cause of macular degeneration in children and young adults. Currently, no approved treatment options exist for this condition.
Proprietary Technology Platforms
VeonGen has advanced two first-in-class gene therapy programs into clinical development, both enabled by the company's proprietary genetic medicine platforms designed to address critical gene delivery challenges in AAV-based therapies.
The vgRNA REVeRT (Reconstitution via mRNA Trans-splicing) platform utilizes mRNA trans-splicing to deliver large genes exceeding the AAV cargo limit of 4.7 kb, enabling delivery and reconstitution of large genes at the mRNA level in tissues targeted by a selected AAV capsid. The vgAAV platform features engineered AAV capsids with enhanced transduction efficiency and the ability to overcome biological barriers, optimized for safe and efficient delivery via intravitreal or subretinal administration.
A third platform, AAV Transactivation, leverages CRISPR/Cas-mediated transcriptional regulation to enable in vivo activation or repression of disease-relevant genes, extending the potential of AAV-based therapies beyond gene supplementation.
Expanding Clinical Pipeline
Beyond VG801, VeonGen is advancing VG901, an intravitreally delivered AAV gene therapy based on the vgAAV platform targeting retinitis pigmentosa caused by CNGA1 mutations. Both programs represent first-in-class approaches to addressing diseases with no approved treatment options.
"This rebranding reflects our journey- from a platform innovator to a clinical-stage company with two gene therapies in the clinic," said Dr. Caroline Man Xu, Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer of VeonGen Therapeutics. "The FDA Rare Pediatric Disease Designation for VG801 not only highlights the strength of our scientific approach but also reinforces our focus on accelerating the development and delivery of transformative therapies for patients in urgent need."
Therapeutic Expansion Potential
VeonGen's proprietary gene therapy platforms are designed for broad therapeutic applicability beyond ophthalmology. The company is exploring expansion and partnerships in cardiovascular, central nervous system (CNS), and other disease areas, leveraging the strong potential for applications across multiple therapeutic domains.
The company was founded in 2017 by a team with deep expertise in AAV vector engineering, gene therapy development, and clinical translation, and is headquartered in Munich, Germany.
