CIC turns up for Gyroscope

Gyroscope Therapeutics, a UK-based retinal gene therapy developer partly based on University of Cambridge research, has received an undisclosed sum from Cambridge Innovation Capital, the university’s affiliate patient capital fund.
Gyroscope develops retinal gene therapies for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that target genetic factors and inflammations associated with the disease.
In dry AMD, small yellowish retinal deposits form beneath the macula and cause macular cells to decay, leading to a sharp deterioration in the patient’s vision over time.
Gyroscope’s most advanced candidate, GT0005, is currently undergoing phase 1/2 clinical trials as a one-time dry AMD treatment for patients with particular genetic attributes. It aims to restore the equilibrium of an immune system mechanism known to be overactive in the disease.
Administering the therapy involves carrying out surgery to detach the patient’s retina so a virus-bearing solution containing modified DNA can be injected to correct the targeted genetic defect.
Gyroscope’s approach advances research conducted in the lab of Sir Peter Lachmann, emeritus Sheila Joan Smith professor of immunology at University of Cambridge’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and the founding president of the UK’s Academy of Medical Sciences.
The company also utilises studies on potential patient populations undertaken by David Kavanagh, professor of complement therapeutics at Newcastle University, and Andrew Lotery, professor of ophthalmology at University of Southampton.
Gyroscope was established in 2016 by Cambridge Enterprise, the university’s tech transfer office, and Syncona, a life sciences investment trust backed by research charities Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK.
Cambridge Enterprise previously provided the spinout with an undisclosed amount of funding at an unspecified date.