Peter Widdowson, CEO of Quethera, commented on the acquisition announcement: “Quethera’s novel technology approach is focused on exploring potential treatment options for common ophthalmic diseases, such as glaucoma, that can cause blindness and severely affect patients’ quality of life.” UK biotech Quethera has been acquired by the Japanese firm CLINO Corporation in a $109m deal. Quethera has been developing a range of ophthalmic gene therapies with the intention of bringing novel treatments to glaucoma and eye disorders. The financial terms of the purchase involve both upfront and contingent payments, though no information has been given over what the milestones will be. Astellas has been consolidating its position within gene therapies for eye disease, having forged a research agreement with Harvard Medical School in 2016 and a licensing agreement with Quethera in 2014 , both for ophthalmic conditions.
UK biotech Quethera has been acquired by the Japanese firm CLINO Corporation in a $109m deal. Quethera has been developing a range of ophthalmic gene therapies with the intention of bringing novel treatments to glaucoma and eye disorders. The financial terms of the purchase involve both upfront and contingent payments, though no information has been given over what the milestones will be. Astellas has been consolidating its position within gene therapies for eye disease, having forged a research agreement with Harvard Medical School in 2016 and a licensing agreement with Quethera in 2014 , both for ophthalmic conditions.