Voretigene neparvovec 5 tera vector genomes/1ml concentrate and solvent for solution for injection vials
Requires a prescription from a doctor or prescriber
Voretigene Neparvovec-rzyl (VN-rzyl) is an adeno-associated virus vector-based gene therapy.[L1094] An adeno-associated virus is a small virus that infects humans and other primates.
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Luxturna 5 tera vector genomes/1ml concentrate and solvent for solution for injection vials
Therapeutically similar medicines
Similarity is based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and on a factual NHS dm+d therapeutic-grouping code prefix. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
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Voretigene neparvovec for treating inherited retinal dystrophies caused by RPE65 gene mutations (HST11)
Idebenone for treating visual impairment in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy in people 12 years and over (TA1093)
Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. BNF code shown is the factual mapping value distributed by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) in the dm+d supplementary file under OGL v3.0; it is not affiliated with, nor licensed from, the publishers of the British National Formulary. ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Academic studies and reviews for this medicine's active substance
Showing all 30 studies.
Reviews & meta-analyses: 4 · Randomised trials: 1 · 2017–2025
Showing all 30 studies, sorted by most relevant.
S. Russell, J. Bennett, J. Wellman, et al.
Lancet (London, England), 2017
- Retinoid Isomerohydrolase
- Genetic Vectors
- Mutation
A. Maguire, A. Maguire, S. Russell, et al.
Ophthalmology, 2019
- Genetic Vectors
- Mutation
- Retinoid Isomerohydrolase
PurposeTo report the durability of voretigene neparvovec-rzyl (VN) adeno-associated viral vector–based gene therapy for RPE65 mutation–associated inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD), including results of a phase 1 follow-on study at year 4 and phase 3 study at year 2.DesignOpen-label phase 1 follow-on clinical trial and open-label, randomized, controlled phase 3 clinical trial.ParticipantsForty subjects who received 1.5×1011 vector genomes (vg) of VN per eye in at least 1 eye during the trials, including 11 phase 1 follow-on subjects and 29 phase 3 subjects (20 original intervention [OI] and 9 control/intervention [CI]).MethodsSubretinal injection of VN in the second eye of phase 1 follow-on subjects and in both eyes of phase 3 subjects.Main Outcome MeasuresEnd points common to the phase 1 and phase 3 studies included change in performance on the Multi-Luminance Mobility Test (MLMT) within the illuminance range evaluated, full-field light sensitivity threshold (FST) testing, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Safety end points included adverse event reporting, ophthalmic examination, physical examination, and laboratory testing.ResultsMean (standard deviation) MLMT lux score change was 2.4 (1.3) at 4 years compared with 2.6 (1.6) at 1 year after administration in phase 1 follow-on subjects (n = 8), 1.9 (1.1) at 2 years, and 1.9 (1.0) at 1 year post-administration in OI subjects (n = 20), and 2.1 (1.6) at 1 year post-administration in CI subjects (n = 9). All 3 groups maintained an average improvement in FST, reflecting more than a 2 log10(cd.s/m2) improvement in light sensitivity at 1 year and subsequent available follow-up visits. The safety profile was consistent with vitrectomy and the subretinal injection procedure, and no deleterious immune responses occurred.ConclusionsAfter VN gene augmentation therapy, there was a favorable benefit-to-risk profile with similar improvement demonstrated in navigational ability and light sensitivity among 3 groups of subjects with RPE65 mutation–associated IRD, a degenerative disease that progresses to complete blindness. The safety profile is consistent with the administration procedure. These data suggest that this effect, which is nearly maximal by 30 days after VN administration, is durable for 4 years, with observation ongoing. To report the durability of voretigene neparvovec-rzyl (VN) adeno-associated viral vector–based gene therapy for RPE65 mutation–associated inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD), including results of a phase 1 follow-on study at year 4 and phase 3 study at year 2. Open-label phase 1 follow-on clinical trial and open-label, randomized, controlled phase 3 clinical trial. Forty subjects who received 1.5×1011 vector genomes (vg) of VN per eye in at least 1 eye during the trials, including 11 phase 1 follow-on subjects and 29 phase 3 subjects (20 original intervention [OI] and 9 control/intervention [CI]). Subretinal injection of VN in the second eye of phase 1 follow-on subjects and in both eyes of phase 3 subjects. End points common to the phase 1 and phase 3 studies included change in performance on the Multi-Luminance Mobility Test (MLMT) within the illuminance range evaluated, full-field light sensitivity threshold (FST) testing, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Safety end points included adverse event reporting, ophthalmic examination, physical examination, and laboratory testing. Mean (standard deviation) MLMT lux score change was 2.4 (1.3) at 4 years compared with 2.6 (1.6) at 1 year after administration in phase 1 follow-on subjects (n = 8), 1.9 (1.1) at 2 years, and 1.9 (1.0) at 1 year post-administration in OI subjects (n = 20), and 2.1 (1.6) at 1 year post-administration in CI subjects (n = 9). All 3 groups maintained an average improvement in FST, reflecting more than a 2 log10(cd.s/m2) improvement in light sensitivity at 1 year and subsequent available follow-up visits. The safety profile was consistent with vitrectomy and the subretinal injection procedure, and no deleterious immune responses occurred. After VN gene augmentation therapy, there was a favorable benefit-to-risk profile with similar improvement demonstrated in navigational ability and light sensitivity among 3 groups of subjects with RPE65 mutation–associated IRD, a degenerative disease that progresses to complete blindness. The safety profile is consistent with the administration procedure. These data suggest that this effect, which is nearly maximal by 30 days after VN administration, is durable for 4 years, with observation ongoing.
Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND
A. Maguire, S. Russell, D. Chung, et al.
Ophthalmology, 2021
- Mutation
- Visual Acuity
- Retinoid Isomerohydrolase
F. Testa, G. Bacci, B. Falsini, et al.
Eye, 2024
- Mutation
- Genetic Therapy
- cis-trans-Isomerases
Biallelic mutations in the RPE65 gene affect nearly 8% of Leber Congenital Amaurosis and 2% of Retinitis Pigmentosa cases. Voretigene neparvovec (VN) is the first gene therapy approach approved for their treatment. To date, real life experience has demonstrated functional improvements following VN treatment, which are consistent with the clinical trials outcomes. However, there is currently no consensus on the characteristics for eligibility for VN treatment. We reviewed relevant literature to explore whether recommendations on patient eligibility can be extrapolated following VN marketing. We screened 166 papers through six research questions, following scoping reviews methodology, to investigate: (1) the clinical and genetic features considered in VN treatment eligibility; (2) the psychophysical tests and imaging modalities used in the pre-treatment and follow-up; (3) the potential correlations between visual function and retinal structure that can be used to define treatment impact on disease progression; (4) retinal degeneration; (5) the most advanced testing modalities; and (6) the impact of surgical procedure on treatment outcomes. Current gaps concerning patients' eligibility in clinical settings, such as pre-treatment characteristics and outcomes are not consistently reported across the studies. No upper limit of retinal degeneration can be defined as the univocal factor in patient eligibility, although evidence suggested that the potential for function rescue is related to the preservation of photoreceptors before treatment. In general, paediatric patients retain more viable cells, present a less severe disease stage and show the highest potential for improvements, making them the most suitable candidates for treatment.
Abstract licence: CC BY
William S. Gange, Robert A. Sisk, C. Besirli, et al.
Ophthalmology. Retina, 2021
- Mutation
- Visual Acuity
- Retinoid Isomerohydrolase
Deepika C. Parameswarappa, Kirk A. J. Stephenson, Mark E. Seamone, et al.
Canadian journal of ophthalmology. Journal canadien d'ophtalmologie, 2025
- Dependovirus
- Blindness
- Retinoid Isomerohydrolase
OBJECTIVE: Biallelic RPE65 pathogenic variants may cause Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Voretigene neparvovec-rzyl (VN, Luxturna) is the only approved subretinal gene therapy that demonstrated benefit and safety. The eligibility criteria are vague and variable between centres. This is the first comprehensive outcome report of RPE65-LCA patients with World Health Organization blindness criteria vision treated with VN. DESIGN: Multicentre retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Patients meeting the treatment criteria for VN who had best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) <20/400 or visual field (VF)III4e isopter <10°. METHODS: Patients were followed for a mean of 11.1 ± 4.7 months. Age, sex, BCVA, central retinal thickness (CRT), retinal atrophy, VF, full-field stimulus testing (FST), and subjective impressions were assessed. RESULTS: ; p < 0.001). Subjective improvement in dim light navigation skills occurred in younger patients (20.3 vs 45.3 years; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: , provided that measurable outer retinal structures persist.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Djamilla Simoens, Varun Shravah, W. K. Jones, et al.
Cutaneous and ocular toxicology, 2025
- Genetic Therapy
- Retinoid Isomerohydrolase
- cis-trans-Isomerases
K. Stingl, Melanie Kempf, Ronja Jung, et al.
Progress in retinal and eye research, 2022
- Vision, Ocular
- Retinal Dystrophies
- Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells
Retinal gene supplementation therapy such as the first approved one, voretigene neparvovec, delivers a functioning copy of the missing gene enabling the protein transcription in retinal cells and restore visual functions. After gene supplementation for the genetic defect, a complex network of functional regeneration is the consequence, whereas the extent is very individualized. Diagnostic and functional testings that have been used routinely by ophthalmologists so far to define the correct diagnosis, cannot be applied in the new context of defining small, sometimes subtle changes in visual functions. New view on retinal diagnostics is needed to understand this processes that define safety and efficacy of the treatment. Not only does vision have many aspects that must be addressed by specific evaluations and imaging techniques, but objective readouts of local retinal function for rods and cones separately have been an unmet need until recently. A reliable test-retest variability is necessary in rare diseases such as inherited retinal dystrophies, because statistics are often not applicable due to a low number of participants. Methods for a reliable individual evaluation of the therapy success are needed. In this manuscript we present an elaboration on retinal diagnostics combining psychophysics (eg. full-field stimulus threshold or dark adapted perimetry) as well as objective measures for local retinal function (eg. photopic and scotopic chromatic pupil campimetry) and retinal imaging for a meaningful workflow to apply in evaluation of the individual success in patients receiving gene therapy for photoreceptor diseases.
Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND
M. Fischer, Francesca Simonelli, Jayashree Sahni, et al.
Biomolecules, 2024
- Retina
- Choroid Diseases
- Registries
Voretigene neparvovec (VN) is the first available gene therapy for patients with biallelic RPE65-mediated inherited retinal dystrophy who have sufficient viable retinal cells. PERCEIVE is an ongoing, post-authorization, prospective, multicenter, registry-based observational study and is the largest study assessing the real-world, long-term safety and effectiveness of VN. Here, we present the outcomes of 103 patients treated with VN according to local prescribing information. The mean (SD) age was 19.5 (10.85) years, 52 (50.5%) were female, and the mean (SD) duration of the follow up was 0.8 (0.64) years (maximum: 2.3 years). Thirty-five patients (34%) experienced ocular treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), most frequently related to chorioretinal atrophy (n = 13 [12.6%]). Eighteen patients (17.5%; 24 eyes [13.1%]) experienced ocular TEAEs of special interest, including intraocular inflammation and/or infection related to the procedure (n = 7). The mean (SD) changes from baseline in full-field light-sensitivity threshold testing (white light) at month 1, month 6, year 1, and year 2 were −16.59 (13.48) dB (51 eyes), −18.24 (14.62) dB (42 eyes), −15.84 (14.10) dB (10 eyes), and −13.67 (22.62) dB (13 eyes), respectively. The change in visual acuity from baseline was not clinically significant. Overall, the outcomes of the PERCEIVE study are consistent with the findings of VN pivotal clinical trials.
Abstract licence: CC BY
K. Stingl, K. Stingl, Hillary Schwartz, et al.
Ophthalmology, 2023
- Refraction, Ocular
- Retinal Dystrophies
- Retina
Sources: aggregated from Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), OpenAlex, Crossref, PubMed and other open scholarly databases. Retracted articles are excluded. Study information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
None known
Half-life
1.7 hours
Mechanism
VN-rzyl is designed for the delivery, in the cells of the retina, of a normal co…
Food interactions
None known
Human targets
1 target
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Absorption
Half-life
1.7 hours
Volume of distribution
Elimination
45%
Clearance
3%
[A31485]…
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
The LCA2 form is associated with a mutation that interferes with the isomerohydrolase activity of the retinal pigment epithelium. The isomerohydrolase activity transforms the trans-retinyl esters to 11-cis-retinal which is the natural ligand and chromophore of the opsins of rod and cones photoreceptors. In the presence of RPE65 mutations, the opsins cannot capture light or transduce it into electrical responses to initiate vision.
[A31480]
The adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVV) presents two open reading frames encoding for its replication (*rep*) and capsid (*cap*). It contains as well a zone with inverted terminal repeats which are required for the replication and packing of the viral genome. The replication of the AAVV requires the presence of a co-infector such as adenovirus or herpesvirus. Thus, without this co-infector, AAVV stays latent with its viral genome in the infected cell. The AAVV construct will contain the transgene in the inverted terminal repeats and it will replace the *rep* and *cap* sequences. The final AAVV will enter the cell nucleus and persist in different states. The first one involves the conversion of the AAVV genome into double-stranded circular episome which will later become a concatamer and provide a long-term transgene expression, particularly in non-dividing cells. The second option, presented in 0.1% of AAVV, is the integration at non-homologous sites of the host genome as single-copy proviruses or concatamers. In both options, there will be the presence of transgene expression.[A31477]
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
[A31485]
[A31485]
Proteins and enzymes this drug interacts with in the body
PMID:16116091
Essential for the production of 11-cis retinal for both rod and cone photoreceptors .
PMID:17848510
Also capable of catalyzing the isomerization of lutein to meso-zeaxanthin an eye-specific carotenoid .
PMID:28874556
The soluble form binds vitamin A (all-trans-retinol), making it available for LRAT processing to all-trans-retinyl ester. The membrane form, palmitoylated by LRAT, binds all-trans-retinyl esters, making them available for IMH (isomerohydrolase) processing to all-cis-retinol.
The soluble form is regenerated by transferring its palmitoyl groups onto 11-cis-retinol, a reaction catalyzed by LRAT (By similarity)
ATC S01XA27
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
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Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Voretigene neparvovec
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