Opus Genetics Buys Two Gene Therapy Candidates from Iveric Bio

Opus Genetics has acquired the rights to two adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy candidates from Iveric Bio.

Opus plans on developing the two candidates, which are in the preclinical stage, for treatment of inherited retinal diseases — bestrophin-1 (BEST1)-related inherited retinal diseases and rhodopsin-mediated autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RHO-adRP).

The company said it expects to complete additional investigational new drug (IND)-enabling studies and file an IND in the second half of 2023.

Iveric will receive an upfront payment of $500,000 and is eligible for future development, regulatory and sales milestone payments.