In the last trading session, the stock price of Benitec Biopharma Ltd (ADR)(NASDAQ:BNTC) gained over 22% to close at $3.06. Recently, the company reported that it has made notable progress with the firm’s ddRNAi know-how for the advancement of therapeutics for the cure of ocular diseases. Of main importance is the outcome from company’s deal with 4D Molecular Therapeutics to recognize novel viral vectors for supply to the back of the eye consuming direct intravitreal injection.
The details
The report of this work will be showcased by Dr David Suhy, the Chief Scientific Officer of Benitec, at the ARVO-Asia meeting being planned in Brisbane on February 5 to February 8, and the TVS, being planned in conjunction. ARVO-Asia is a known conference for eye and vision research. The TVS meeting showcase revolutionary approaches to promoting innovation in the treatment and diagnosis of eye disease.
Dr David Suhy said that having a commercially interesting route of administration is a notable step forward in the plan. One of the prime limitations of ocular gene therapy usage is the use of a complex surgical technique named subretinal injection for administration into the eye. They are advancing viral vectors which can capably transduce cells inside the retina ensuing an office-friendly, intravitreal inoculation. It is the same route of supply used for Age-Related Macular Degeneration, counting Lucentis® and Eylea®.
David added that being able to offer drugs in therapeutically pertinent concentrations is a focus area in drug development. It has taken considerable effort and time, but they consider that these outcomes show the commercial applicability of using a vector having the capability to transduce the retina ensuing an intravitreal injection.
The AMD mechanism marks the first program in this segment and Benitec expect being able to form a ddRNAi franchise for several other ocular indications, primarily in retinal diseases, applying viral vectors as a key unit in that platform.
