The Financial Future of the Gene Therapy Market

Gene therapy has the potential to treat or even cure many chronic diseases, and as such, it has become an increasing area of focus for medical research. Researchers around the globe are investigating the application of gene therapy to HIV, diabetes, cancer, and many other serious conditions. A recent report by the market research firm RNCOS looked at the clinical applications of these treatments and how they could change the health care sector in the coming four years.

According to the report, titled “Global Gene Therapy Market Forecast to 2020,” the majority of research on gene therapy is done in the context of oncology, especially in relation to cancers that are traditionally resistant to treatment. However, the scope of gene therapy research is broad, encompassing developments in treating conditions from inherited blindness to cardiovascular disease.

So far, the vast majority of gene therapy products are still in the research and clinical development phase, with few therapies commercially available. The majority of financing in the field comes from funding, grants, and private investors. Promising clinical data, regulatory approvals, and commercial revenue are the key ingredients to fueling additional investment and excitement in the field.

Gene Therapy Offers Hope for Patients with Eye Diseases

Ophthalmic research in gene therapy could lead to treatments for a number of diseases that have hitherto been untreatable, Avalanche Biotechnologies CEO Thomas Chalberg recently told Retina Today. The field is seeing a great deal of interest and innovation, said Chalberg, which could usher in a new generation of medical therapy and a new class of biologics.

Avalanche's current trials focus on treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration. So far, participants in the trials have not exhibited any serious adverse events related to the medication. Avalanche Biotechnologies, a leading developer of ophthalmic gene therapy, also is investigating the potential for gene therapy to treat vascular diseases such as diabetic macular edema and retinal vein occlusion.

“The idea of using DNA as a pharmaceutical is a sort of marvelous and wondrous proposition,” Chalberg said. “But why now? Because there are positive clinical data emerging that demonstrates that gene therapy is working.”

Gene therapy may not be available in clinics for a few years, but research increasingly shows that it could significantly change how retina specialists treat certain ocular diseases.                            

Technology Pioneer 2015 by Thomas W Chalberg

Thomas W Chalberg of Avalanche Biotech discusses gene therapy to improve and preserve the sight of people with serious eye diseases with an unmet medical need.