Fovea Pharmaceuticals and Genzyme collaborate over gene-related therapies

Paris-A collaborative research agreement has been formed by Fovea Pharmaceuticals with Genzyme Corp. to develop gene-related therapies using Fovea-selected targets and Genzyme delivery technologies.

The alliance centers around Fovea's high-content technology platform, allowing the identification of new targets involved in photoreceptor degeneration in retinal dystrophies.

Fovea's scientific, clinical, and pharmaceutical capability for retinal disease combined with Genzyme's extensive know-how in protein production and gene delivery will provide solutions for understanding the disease mechanisms.

"Retinal dystrophies are a major cause of vision loss," said Jose-Alain Sahel, professor of ophthalmology, co-founder of Fovea and chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board. "This collaborative agreement with Genzyme will allow Fovea's discovery team to leverage its resources to develop new targets that have been identified using the technology platform and will hopefully give the opportunity to translate these discoveries into care for patients affected with blinding orphan diseases."