Manchester Royal Eye Hospital delivers gene therapy for the first time

Manchester Royal Eye Hospital (MREH) has delivered gene therapy for the first time as a treatment for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP).

The hospital is part of a ‘ground breaking’ pilot that involves more than 24 patients receiving a modified RPGR gene, which is associated with the inherited eye condition.

The trial, which is sponsored by biopharmaceutical company Nightstar, involves a collaboration between MREH, Saint Mary’s Hospital and the NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility.

Professor Paulo Stanga, who is leading the clinical trial at MREH, highlighted that gene therapy is an exciting area that could potentially offer a cure across a number of disease areas.

“We’re delighted to be able to offer our patients the opportunity to participate in this trial for this new treatment for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa. This is a devastating condition for which there’s currently no effective treatment,” he shared.