As a scientific collaborator, AGTC will have access to specific deidentified genetic data and expert healthcare providers to help AGTC rapidly identify potential candidates eligible for their clinical trials. AGTC’s initial focus in the collaboration will be X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP), specifically RPGR-associated disease. Disease-causing variants in RPGR are the third most common cause of IRDs. AGTC has initiated an expansion of its Phase 1/2 gene therapy clinical trial and is planning to initiate a Phase 2/3 clinical trial in early 2021 in males with XLRP with a pathogenic variant in the RPGR gene.
“We are delighted to be among the scientific collaborators in the My Retina Tracker Program who share our mission of improving the vision of patients with IRDs. Patient registries are a rich source of information for sponsors of clinical trials, particularly for rare diseases, where patient identification can be more challenging,” said
Patients taking part in the My Retina Tracker Program are offered Blueprint Genetics’ 322-gene panel that includes comprehensive coverage of major IRD genes, noncoding variants, copy number variants and mitochondrial genome analysis. One of the hallmarks of the panel is the high performance of RPGR testing, including the difficult-to-sequence ORF15 region which harbors approximately 80% of disease-causing RPGR variants. Blueprint Genetics has done extensive work to develop high-quality testing capabilities for this gene using a unique NGS-based approach in order to maximize XLRP diagnostic yield. The My Retina Tracker Program has also received excellent feedback regarding the comprehensive genetic counseling provided by InformedDNA. All patients taking part in the program are provided no-cost, post-test genetic counseling by expert genetic counselors from InformedDNA.
“With the very strong focus on gene–specific and gene variant–specific therapies dominating the late preclinical and clinical trials pipelines, knowing the genetic basis of disease is an important component of any inherited retinal disease diagnosis,” said Dr.
“Over the past few years, we have invested in improving the quality and performance of genetic analysis of this challenging RPGR gene. It has been a privilege to witness the significance of these efforts to patients and is even more rewarding now as we have opportunities to collaborate with biopharmaceutical companies like AGTC that are developing product candidates with the potential to change the lives of these patients with RPGR-targeted gene therapy,” said Blueprint Genetics Executive Medical Director, Dr. Tero-Pekka Alastalo.
About the My Retina Tracker® Program
The My Retina Tracker® Program offers open access, no-cost genetic testing and genetic counseling for individuals living in
For more information on the My Retina Tracker Program, please visit https://blueprintgenetics.com/my-retina-tracker-program/
For more information on My Retina Tracker Registry, please visit: FightingBlindness.org/my-retina-tracker-registry
About AGTC
AGTC is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing genetic therapies for people with rare and debilitating ophthalmic, otologic and central nervous system (CNS) diseases. AGTC is a leader in designing and constructing all critical gene therapy elements and bringing them together to develop customized therapies that address real patient needs. The Company’s most advanced clinical programs leverage its best-in-class technology platform to potentially improve vision for patients with inherited retinal diseases. AGTC has active clinical trials in X-linked retinitis pigmentosa and achromatopsia (ACHM CNGB3 & ACHM CNGA3). Its pre-clinical programs build on the Company’s industry leading AAV manufacturing technology and scientific expertise. AGTC is advancing multiple important pipeline candidates to address substantial unmet clinical need in larger ophthalmology indications, optogenetics, otology and CNS disorders. www.agtc.com
About the
Established in 1971, the
About Blueprint Genetics
Blueprint Genetics, a Quest Diagnostics company, is a leading specialty genetics and bioinformatics company focused on providing genetic testing for inherited diseases. The company is based in
Contact information:
AGTC
Blueprint Genetics
Tero-Pekka Alastalo, executive medical director, tpa@blueprintgenetics.com
Saara Salonoja, communication specialist, saara.salonoja@blueprintgenetics.com
Source:
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