The 2021 collaboration between Abbvie and Regenxbio to develop an anti-VEGF gene therapy for chronic retinal diseases is a noteworthy deal in the gene therapy space. But for both clinical and commercial reasons, it is a one-off opportunity and not an indicator of the overall potential of gene therapies to address eye diseases. Interest in optogenetics, however, which is the introduction of light-sensing genes into cells in the eye to restore vison, may be on the rise.

Private Company Edition: More $100m-plus mega-rounds means another billion-dollar week for venture capital deals, including financings for G2 Bio, Hummingbird and Numab. Also, BioTheryX brings in $92m, Vedere launches with $77m and Eliem raises $60m two months after launching with $80m.