Phenocell and Amarna Therapeutics Secure Eurostars Grant for Dry AMD Gene Therapy Platform

Phenocell SAS and Amarna Therapeutics have been awarded the prestigious Eurostars grant to advance their collaborative gene therapy platform targeting dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This partnership combines Phenocell’s innovative in vitro AMD disease model with Amarna’s proprietary gene delivery vector technology, aiming to develop effective curative treatments for this high-impact retinal disease.

Overview of the Eurostars Grant

The Eurostars grant, a competitive funding initiative under the European Partnership on Innovative Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), is co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe. It supports market-oriented research and development projects led by SMEs, with a strong emphasis on cross-border collaborations.

The grant was awarded for the joint project AMD-HALT, which leverages the complementary expertise of the two companies:

     • Phenocell SAS: A France-based provider of stem cell-derived models and services, focusing on creating physiologically accurate AMD disease models.

     • Amarna Therapeutics: A Netherlands-based biotechnology firm specializing in gene therapy, with a patented recombinant vector platform called Nimvec.

Details of the AMD-HALT Project

The AMD-HALT project aims to create a transformative platform for addressing dry AMD, a condition with significant unmet medical needs.

Key Components of the Project:

   1. Phenocell’s Contribution:

           • Development of a three-dimensional in vitro cellular model for dry AMD.

           • Utilizes induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived retinal pigment epithelium, microglial cells, and photoreceptors.

          • Mimics the cellular interactions and microenvironment of the retina.

   2. Amarna’s Contribution:

           • Application of its Nimvec vector, a recombinant SV40-derived gene delivery technology.

           • Designed to inhibit inflammation and promote tissue regeneration.

           • Evaluation of Nimvec’s efficacy and mode-of-action using the disease model developed by Phenocell.

This project is described as a "first step" toward developing a curative treatment for dry AMD and holds promise for advancing the understanding of retinal diseases.

Recognition and Future Impact

The AMD-HALT project was highlighted for addressing a critical gap in ophthalmology and for its potential to generate new insights into retinal disease mechanisms. The companies also credited Catalyze, a grant-writing and project development consultancy, for its role in securing the Eurostars funding.

Statements from the Leadership

Brigitte Onteniente, PhD, Founder and R&D Leader of Phenocell

“Our iPSC-derived retinal cells and advanced co-culture methodologies offer unprecedented potential to create physiologically relevant disease models. This Eurostars grant is a testament to the transformative impact this project could have on the field.”

Henk Streefkerk, MD, PhD, CEO and Medical Director of Amarna Therapeutics

“Partnering with Phenocell on this Eurostars-funded project is a critical step in advancing our proprietary gene therapy technology. The three-dimensional in vitro cellular disease models will enable us to evaluate the therapeutic potential of our gene therapy candidates with unprecedented accuracy, accelerating progress toward effective treatments for diseases such as dry AMD.”

Conclusion

By combining state-of-the-art gene therapy technology with advanced disease modeling, the AMD-HALT project has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of dry AMD. This Eurostars-funded initiative highlights the importance of cross-border collaborations in addressing unmet needs in ophthalmology and advancing the understanding of retinal diseases.