Allergan plc, a leading global pharmaceutical company, and RetroSense Therapeutics LLC,  a private, clinical-stage biotechnology company, announced that Allergan has acquired substantially all of the assets of RetroSense in an all-cash transaction.

Under the terms of the transaction, Allergan has paid RetroSense a $60 million upfront payment, and has agreed to potential regulatory and commercialization milestone payments related to its lead development programme, RST-001, a novel gene therapy for the potential treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP).

"The acquisition of RetroSense and its RST-001 programme builds on Allergan's deep commitment to eye care, and our focus on investing in game-changing innovation for retinal conditions, including Retinitis Pigmentosa, where patients desperately need treatment options," said Brent Saunders, CEO and president of Allergan.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a group of rare, inherited genetic disorders characterized by progressive peripheral vision loss and night vision difficulties followed by eventual central vision loss and blindness in many cases. Approximately 100,000 people living in the US and 14 to 33 per 100,000 people worldwide have the disorder.

RST-001 is first-in-class gene therapy application of optogenetics, a therapeutic approach that confers light sensitivity to cells that were not previously, or natively, light sensitive. By applying optogenetics to retinas in which rod and cone photoreceptors have degenerated, the technology introduces additional light sensitivity to the retina. In 2014, RST-001 received an Orphan Drug designation by the US FDA for the treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa.

The RST-001 optogenetic approach employs a photosensitivity gene, channelrhodopsin-2, to create new photosensors in retinal ganglion cells to potentially restore vision in retinal degenerative conditions. In August 2015, RetroSense's Investigational New Drug (IND) application for RST-001 received clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In March 2016, RetroSense initiated a phase I/IIa clinical trial to evaluate the safety of RST-001 in patients being dosed, and in August 2016, the low dose cohort of patients had been safely dosed.

"The RST-001 programme and its optogenetic gene therapy approach could be a real breakthrough in the treatment of unmet needs across a host of retinal conditions, including RP," said David Nicholson, chief research and development officer, Allergan. "The team at Allergan is excited by the prospect of advancing an entirely new approach in the treatment of retinal diseases, and this technology is highly complementary to our ongoing development programmes in this critical treatment area."

"With its deep commitment to eye care, strong eye care professional community network, and its commitment to advancing innovation across retinal conditions, Allergan was the most compelling partner and the best strategic fit to advance the development of RST-001 and maximize the potential for this technology platform," said Sean Ainsworth, former CEO of RetroSense Therapeutics. "The addition of RST-001 to Allergan's world-class eye care development and commercialization organization will position this potentially revolutionary technology to be used by ophthalmology professionals to improve the treatment of patients with retinal diseases around the world."

"Retinitis Pigmentosa patients from around the world are closely following the RST-001 study," stated David G. Birch, Ph.D., chief scientist and executive officer of the Retina Foundation of the Southwest and principal investigator of the phase I/IIa clinical trial. "Today, the treatment options are so limited, physicians are excited about the potential to restore or improve vision for their patients."

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited genetic disorders characterized by progressive peripheral vision loss and night vision difficulties followed by eventual central vision loss and blindness in many cases. RP is typically diagnosed in adolescents and young adults. The rate of progression and degree of visual loss varies from person to person.

Approximately 100,000 people living in the US and 14 to 33 per 100,000 people worldwide have the disorder. Currently, there are no FDA or EMA approved therapies for the prevention or treatment of RP. RST-001 has received Orphan Drug designation by the US FDA for the treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa.