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Syncona Ltd on Friday reported promising trial results for the drug laru-zova, the lead asset of Syncona subsidiary Beacon Therapeutics Holdings Ltd. The London-based investor in life science companies said data from the second-phase trial was positive. Beacon Therapeutics, a Florida, US-based opthalmic gene therapy company, assessed two different doses of its laru-zova drug in patients with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa. This is an inherited retinal degenerative disorder that causes blindness, and in the case of Beacon’s study, all participants had previously undergone gene therapy for the disorder, which primarily affects young males and currently has no treatment options. Three-month safety and efficiency data for laru-zova showed the drug to be well-tolerated by all participants, with no adverse effects related to the drug detected during the trial period. The study also showed promising early improvements in low luminance visual acuity, which is used to measure visual function. Beacon said it has built confidence in laru-zova as a potential treatment for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa. The next trial stage is currently enrolling, with a data readout expected in 2025 which will be used in applications for regulatory approval. The trial results represented a ‘key value inflection point’, Syncona said, indicating that Beacon has potential to drive significant growth in Syncona’s net asset value. ‘The early visual improvements observed reinforce the compelling efficacy data shown to date and offer further hope to XLRP patients,’ said Syncona Chief Executive Officer Chris Hollowood, who is also director of Beacon. ‘We believe that laru-zova could be a life-changing treatment for these patients and look forward to further data.’ Syncona shares were up 0.2% at 102.15 pence each on Friday afternoon in London. Copyright 2024 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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