SparingVision begins dosing patients with retinitis pigmentosa in NYRVANA clinical trial

SparingVision has dosed the first patient in its NYRVANA clinical trial of SPVN20 in patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

NYRVANA is the first-in-human trial and is an open-label, multicentre, dose-escalation study investigating the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of a single intravitreal injection of SPVN20 over 6 months. The study includes a long-term follow-up period of 5 years, according to a press release. The company notes that safety and efficacy data will be collected over 2026 and 2027.¹

SPVN20 is a gene-agnostic, intravitreal adenoviral-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy designed to restore visual acuity and aspects of color vision in people affected by retinal diseases by targeting dormant cones, according to the company. SPVN20 delivers a gene encoding a human G protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channel via intravitreal injection using an AAV vector, enabling dormant cones to regain their ability to convert light into electrical signals that the brain interprets as vision.¹

The company notes that by targeting existing retinal cells rather than replacing them, SPVN20 seeks to reestablish a physiological pathway of vision.

The trial was initiated in Belgium and will expand recruitment to France and Ireland. The company noted its Clinical Trial Application was supported by a “comprehensive nonclinical package demonstrating SPVN20-mediated light-evoked responses and functional rescue in cone photoreceptors across multiple in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models.”

Stéphane Boissel, CEO, and Kali Stasi, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of SparingVision, commented on the trial in a press release from the company.¹

“The initiation of NYRVANA represents a pivotal milestone for SparingVision and validates the therapeutic potential of our gene-agnostic gene therapy portfolio, offering a comprehensive approach to treat a variety of retinal diseases at different stages. With two clinical programs now advancing in parallel, we are moving closer to our mission of transforming outcomes for patients with blinding retinal diseases,” said Boissel.

“With SPVN20, we are taking this progress forward by reactivating dormant cones—the dedicated photoreceptor cells of the retinal circuit located at the start of the visual transmission pathway, which utilise the naturally occurring photosensitive protein opsin. This approach maximises the chances of restoring central visual function that closely mirrors natural cone-mediated vision through a more physiological mechanism, improving the lives of these patients with no current treatment available,” added Dr Stasi.

The company stated it also intends to evaluate the potential therapeutic synergy of its 2 lead products (SPVN06 and SPVN20) as a single product, called SPVN30, to address a broader population of RP patients.¹

SPVN06 targets inherited retinal diseases by counteracting the degeneration of cone photoreceptors by restoring RdCVF and by promoting RdCVFL. SPVN06 is administered via the subretinal route.²

References:

1. SparingVision Doses First Patient with SPVN20 for Advanced Retinitis Pigmentosa in NYRVANA Trial. Published October 28, 2025. Accessed October 28, 2025. https://sparingvision.com/sparingvision-doses-first-patient-with-spvn20-for-advanced-retinitis-pigmentosa-in-nyrvana-trial/

2. SparingVision. SPVN06. Accessed October 28, 2025. https://sparingvision.com/spvn06/