Allergan buys gene therapy play RetroSense

Allergan plc (NYSE:AGN) acquired RetroSense Therapeutics LLC (Ann Arbor, Mich.), giving it retinitis pigmentosa (RP) candidate RST-001. RetroSense shareholders received $60 million up front and are eligible for undisclosed regulatory and commercialization milestones. Allergan declined to disclose additional terms.

In 2H17, Allergan expects data from an ongoing Phase I/II study of RST-001, and plans to conduct a single Phase III study in about 60 patients. The adeno-associated virus (AAV) 2 vector activating the channelrhodopsin-2 ( ChR2) gene has Orphan Drug designation from FDA to treat RP. ...