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A recently announced exclusive licensing agreement between biotechnology firm ZipBio and clinical-stage genetic medicines company MeiraGTx Holdings plc will see MeiraGTx assume development rights to ZipBio’s experimental therapies targeting the complement pathway in geographic atrophy (GA)—the advanced, vision-threatening form of non-exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). While no clinical data have been presented, the deal underscores ongoing industry efforts to develop durable treatments for GA, a condition with limited therapeutic options and a substantial public health burden.1,2,3
Geographic Atrophy: Unmet Need and Current Therapeutics
Geographic atrophy is characterized by progressive degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors, leading to irreversible central vision loss in older adults. Global prevalence estimates suggest GA affects approximately 5 million individuals worldwide, including more than 1 million in the United States alone.2,4 Until recently, no FDA-approved therapies existed for GA secondary to AMD. In 2023, two agents targeting complement components received approval: pegcetacoplan (SYFOVRE) targeting C3 and avacincaptad pegol (Izervay) targeting C5; both are administered by intravitreal injection and have been shown to slow lesion progression.2,5
Despite these advances, concerns persist regarding the magnitude of clinical benefit, the need for frequent intravitreal delivery, and uncertain functional gains in visual acuity or patient-reported outcomes, leading to ongoing debate about the optimal management strategy in routine practice.2,6,7 Complement inhibition remains a principal mechanistic focus given the pathway’s involvement in AMD pathophysiology; however, not all complement-targeted agents have succeeded in clinical trials, and therapeutic benefit in GA remains modest.6,7
Deal Structure and Therapeutic Focus
Under the agreement announced by ZipBio, MeiraGTx acquires exclusive rights to develop and commercialize ZipBio’s first-in-class therapies for GA targeting the complement pathway. ZipBio’s approach leverages its proprietary COMPACT™ generative artificial intelligence platform to design compact, multifunctional protein therapeutics (“Zip® drugs”) that purportedly engage disease pathways beyond the reach of conventional biologics.^1 Financial terms of the licensing deal, including upfront and potential milestone or royalty payments, were not disclosed.1
MeiraGTx brings capabilities in vector design, clinical development, and in-house manufacturing of genetic medicines, suggesting that the licensed programs could be advanced using gene therapy or related modalities. This aligns with MeiraGTx’s broader ophthalmology activities, including gene therapy initiatives for inherited retinal diseases reported in other deals.8
Regulatory and Research Landscape
No peer-reviewed clinical trial data have yet been published for ZipBio’s GA programs, and no specific investigational new drug (IND) filings attributable to these agents are publicly registered as of this writing. Consequently, the clinical characteristics, dosing strategies, or safety profiles of these experimental therapeutics remain unknown.
In contrast, other early-stage complement-targeted gene therapies for GA are emerging. For example, CTx001, an adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy designed to deliver a truncated form of complement receptor 1 (mini-CR1), received FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance in October 2025 and Fast Track designation in early 2026. This program will enter the Opti-GAIN Phase I/II study evaluating safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy in GA secondary to AMD, with first dosing expected in 2026.3,9
Key Facts
- Drug/Program: ZipBio first-in-class therapies targeting complement pathway (preclinical; licensed to MeiraGTx)1
- Class: AI-designed protein therapeutics (unspecified modality)
- Indication: Geographic atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration
- Development Stage: Preclinical; no disclosed clinical data
- Comparator Pipeline Examples:
- CTx001 (AAV gene therapy; Phase I/II in Opti-GAIN trial) – safety, tolerability, preliminary efficacy; IND cleared & Fast Track designated3,9
- Pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol – approved complement inhibitors with modest lesion-growth slowing effects2,5
- Safety Signals: Not yet reported for ZipBio programs; class considerations include intravitreal delivery risks and gene therapy-associated inflammation for vectorized approaches
- Regulatory Status: Licensing agreement announced; therapy development and regulatory filings pending
While gene therapies offer the potential for sustained intraocular expression and reduced treatment burden compared with repeated injections, these modalities carry unique risks, including potential inflammation, immune responses, and vector-associated adverse events. The safety and long-term effects of ocular gene therapy remain under active investigation across multiple programs.
Clinical Implications and Expert Interpretation
From a clinician’s perspective, this licensing agreement represents an incremental step toward broadening the pipeline of GA therapeutics rather than a near-term shift in standard of care. The lack of clinical results for the ZipBio programs necessitates cautious interpretation; translational success from AI-designed proteins to clinical efficacy has yet to be demonstrated in GA.
Moreover, although pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol have provided proof-of-concept that complement modulation can slow lesion growth, functional benefits have been limited and secondary outcomes inconsistently positive, leading to calls for therapies with more robust visual outcomes and improved delivery mechanisms.2,6,7
Limitations and Unanswered Questions
Key limitations to current understanding include the absence of published preclinical or early clinical data for the ZipBio-derived agents, uncertainty about the exact mechanism(s) of action beyond broad complement modulation, and the potential for off-target effects. It is also not known whether these agents will employ intravitreal injection, sustained release, or gene therapy vectors—factors that will have important implications for safety, efficacy, and real-world adoption.
Next Steps
Advancing the licensed therapies through formal IND submissions and initiating controlled clinical trials will be essential to evaluate safety and efficacy. Comparative trials assessing new agents against existing complement inhibitors could further clarify their relative value. Ongoing research into alternative molecular targets and pathophysiologic pathways beyond complement, such as mitochondrial dysfunction or inflammation, may also yield future therapeutic opportunities.
References
ZipBio and MeiraGTx enter exclusive license for geographic atrophy therapies targeting complement pathway. News release; Feb 3, 2026. https://www.barchart.com/story/news/37379636/zipbio-and-meiragtx-enter-into-exclusive-license-agreement-to-advance-first-in-class-aav-gene-therapy-for-geographic-atrophy. Accessed 2026 Feb 3.
Schmitz R, et al. Clinical outcomes of treatment of geographic atrophy: A narrative review. Ophthalmol Ther. 2025. DOI: 10.1007/s40123-025-01144-9. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40123-025-01144-9.
Apellis Pharmaceuticals. Pegcetacoplan and avacincaptad pegol approvals. Company press materials and regulatory summaries; 2023.
Eli Lilly signs deal for MeiraGTx’s gene therapy for severe eye disease. Reuters. Nov 10, 2025. https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/eli-lilly-signs-deal-meiragtxs-gene-therapy-severe-eye-disease-2025-11-10.
