US biotech Biogen has bolstered its gene therapy portfolio by acquiring UK-based Nightstar Therapeutics for around $800m in a cash deal. The London-based company is focused on developing adeno-associated virus (AAV) treatments for inherited retinal disorders (IRDs), one of the ‘low hanging fruits’ in gene therapy as delivery to the eye is relatively straightforward. Biogen will gain Nightstar's adeno-associated virus treatments for inherited retinal disorders (IRD). Nightstar has developed candidates for the blindness-inducing X-linked IRDs choroideremia and retinitis pigmentosa, both of which are potential first-in-class therapies. The acquisition is expected to close later this year.
US biotech Biogen has bolstered its gene therapy portfolio by acquiring UK-based Nightstar Therapeutics for around $800m in a cash deal. Biogen will gain Nightstar's adeno-associated virus treatments for inherited retinal disorders (IRD). Nightstar has developed candidates for the blindness-inducing X-linked IRDs choroideremia and retinitis pigmentosa, both of which are potential first-in-class therapies. The acquisition is expected to close later this year.