Participated · Series B · Sep 2022

SparingVision is a French biotech that develops genetic, innovative therapies in ophthalmology for the treatment of blinding inherited retinal diseases. Its lead programs are SPVN06 and SPVN20, which follow a mutation-agnostic approach aimed at treating retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The company intends to use new funding to advance these lead treatments, support first-in-human studies and bring lead assets to clinical validation. SparingVision has pursued a build-up strategy, including acquiring GAMUT Therapeutics and signing a strategic collaboration with Intellia Therapeutics. The company is led by Stéphane Boissel, President and Chief Executive Officer. The article references its first round of financing in 2020. SparingVision is focused on developing mutation-agnostic AAV gene therapies for ocular diseases, with a lead candidate targeting retinitis pigmentosa. Its lead candidate, SPVN06, combines a neurotrophic factor and an oxidative-stress–reducing enzyme in a single AAV construct intended to slow or stop photoreceptor degeneration across genetic forms of RP. The company notes there is currently no approved treatment for RP independent of genetic background and that RP affects nearly two million people worldwide. Proceeds from a €44.5 million financing will primarily fund GMP activities, including manufacture of a first clinical batch, IND/CTA regulatory work, and a planned first-in-man study scheduled to start in 2021. SparingVision is a spin-off of the Paris Vision Institute and plans to expand its management team and commence operations in the US. The press release also announced the appointment of Stéphane Boissel as Chief Executive Officer. SparingVision is a biotechnology company focused on discovery and development of innovative therapies for blinding inherited retinal diseases, particularly retinitis pigmentosa. Its lead program, SPVN06, is a gene-independent drug candidate intended to treat multiple genetic forms of the disease. The company is producing clinical batches and preparing to initiate first clinical trials in Europe and the United States in 2020. SparingVision completed the PHENOROD retrospective natural history study (NCT03975543) with results to be published, and plans the PHENOROD 2 prospective study to begin in Fall 2019. The company is a spin-off of the Paris Vision Institute and has received €15.5 million in prior investment from Bpifrance, the Foundation Fighting Blindness (US) and the Voir & Entendre Foundation. It recently secured €2.5 million in non-dilutive funding from the European EIC Accelerator to accelerate clinical and regulatory development while preparing for new fundraising.