Roche Gains Rights to Eye Drug From Lineage Cell Therapeutics

Roche’s Genentech subsidiary has struck a deal with Lineage Cell Therapeutics to license and develop the latter’s investigational eye drug — a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) therapy being prepped for a form of advanced dry age-related macular degeneration.  

Under the deal, Roche will pay Lineage $50 million upfront and potentially a further $620 million in milestones-based payments as well as royalties on sales.

Lineage is currently assessing the drug in an early-phase study, but Roche will handle all future clinical development for the product.