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.

The Basel-based major has swooped to buy fellow Swiss group Arctos in the belief that optogenetics is a promising therapeutic approach that might restore sight to patients who are legally blind.

The partnership worth up to $1.75bn removes the significant risk of going it alone in a competitive market as Regenxbio awaits late-stage data for its gene therapy.

The company, which has treatments in the clinic for CLN2 Batten disease and APOE4-associated Alzheimer’s disease, is developing AAV-mediated gene therapies designed for safer outcomes.