J&J, MeiraGTx partner on gene therapies for rare retinal diseases

Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. picked up its first clinical gene therapies Thursday in a worldwide licensing deal with MeiraGTx Holdings plc (NASDAQ:MGTX) for rare inherited retinal disease therapies. MeiraGTx added $2.84 (30%) to $12.38 on Thursday.

Janssen gains rights to develop and commercialize AAV-RPGR, an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector delivering the RPGR gene, in Phase I/II testing for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP). The Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) unit also receives rights to two AAV-based gene therapies for achromatopsia: AAV-CNGB3, which delivers the CNGB3 gene and is in Phase I/II testing, and AAV-CNGA3, which delivers the CNGA3 gene and is in preclinical testing. ...