AMD-HALT programme receives Eurostars grant for continued investigation of dry AMD gene therapy platform

The Phenocell-Amarna AMD-HALT project was recognised for its potential to address “a critical gap in ophthalmology” and shining new light on retinal disease pathologies. Image credit: ©Who is Danny – stock.adobe.com

Two European companies received the competitive Eurostars grant to support a gene therapy platform for patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Phenocell SAS (Axol Bioscience), a stem cell-derived model and service provider based in France, and Amarna Therapeutics, a gene therapy biotechnology firm based in the Netherlands, announced the award for their joint project AMD-HALT. According to a press release, the collaboration pairs Amarna’s SV40-derived gene delivery vector platform with Phenocell’s in vitro AMD disease model, which accurately mimics cellular interactions and microenvironment of the retina.¹ The Eurostars programme is part of the European Partnership on Innovative Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), co-funded through the European Union through Horizon Europe.

The joint press release detailed the gene therapy venture, AMD-HALT. Phenocell aims to develop a three-dimensional in vitro cellular disease model for dry AMD, based on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived retinal pigment epithelium, microglial and photoreceptor cells. Using the patented recombinant vector developed by Amarna, Nimvec, which inhibits inflammation and promotes tissue regeneration. Investigators will assess the efficacy and mode-of-action of the Nimvec vector using the disease model. The companies called the programme a “first step in the development of an effective curative treatment for this high impact disease.”

Eurostars supports innovative, market-oriented research and development projects led by SMEs, and puts a particular emphasis on cross-border collaborations. The Phenocell-Amarna AMD-HALT project was recognised for its potential to address “a critical gap in ophthalmology,” and as a means of generating broader understanding of retinal disease. The companies jointly acknowledged the grant-writing and project development of support of Catalyze, credited with securing the Eurostars funding.

In a statement, Phenocell’s founder, R&D and site leader, Brigitte Onteniente, PhD, said, “Our iPSC-derived retinal cells and advanced co-culture methodologies offer unprecedented potential to create physiologically relevant disease models. This Eurostars grant is a testament to the transformative impact this project could have on the field.”

Henk Streefkerk, MD, PhD, CEO and medical director of Amarna, also praised the partnership. He said, “Partnering with Phenocell on this Eurostars-funded project is a critical step in advancing our proprietary gene therapy technology. The three-dimensional in vitro cellular disease models will enable us to evaluate the therapeutic potential of our gene therapy candidates with unprecedented accuracy, accelerating progress toward effective treatments for diseases such as dry AMD.”

Reference

1. Phenocell and Amarna Therapeutics Awarded Eurostars Grant to Assess a Gene Therapy for Dry AMD using a novel 3-dimensional iPSC-derived Retinal Model of the Disease. News release. Amarna Therapeutics. Published 11 December, 2024. Accessed 12 December, 2024. https://www.wjtv.com/business/press-releases/globenewswire/1001028116/phenocell-and-amarna-therapeutics-awarded-eurostars-grant-to-assess-a-gene-therapy-for-dry-amd-using-a-novel-3-dimensional-ipsc-derived-retinal-model-of-the-disease/