Ikarovec, a company based at Norwich Research Park, has announced a new worldwide agreement with VectorBuilder, a global leader in gene delivery technologies, to develop gene-based therapies for the treatment of vision-threatening retinal diseases.
Based on the potential of Ikarovec’s treatment for intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and assuming its successful clinical development and approval, the proposed deal could be worth in excess of $1bn when it reaches the market in the next few years. That is because intermediate AMD is a large, untapped market for which currently there are no approved drug treatments, so products like Ikarovec’s can expect to have a significant impact.
Intermediate AMD is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide and they are at a significant risk of progressing to geographic atrophy or wet AMD, both of which can cause irreversible vision loss.
Ikarovec’s treatment is designed to prevent this progression through a one-time injection and will be delivered to patients’ eyes using VectorBuilder’s gene delivery technology enabling a minimally invasive application that can be carried out in an eye doctor’s office.
This will improve access to treatment for patients at the earlier, intermediate AMD stage, for whom prevention of the progression of the disease is a priority. Dr Thomas Ciulla, CEO of Ikarovec, said: “Partnering with VectorBuilder on our treatment for intermediate AMD increases the value of our pipeline by creating a doctor’s office-based delivery product which is ideal for large-scale adoption.”
Dr Bruce Lahn, Founder and Chief Scientist at VectorBuilder, said: “We have worked with Ikarovec for several years and have developed a deep understanding of the company’s approach and technical requirements. We are confident that our technology, combined with Ikarovec’s innovative approach and experienced leadership team, will create a strong foundation for developing transformative therapies for patients with vision-threatening retinal diseases.”
Roz Bird, CEO of Anglia Innovation Partnership, the campus management company for Norwich Research Park, said, “It’s great to see Ikarovec go from strength to strength, and with this latest announcement, improving the treatment of patients with AMD. We know that Ikarovec makes great use of the multiple connections and facilities we provide at Norwich Research Park so it is a particularly good success story for the campus and we wish them well for a fantastically optimistic future.”
