Allergan acquires gene therapy-based eye care firm RetroSense Therapeutics assets

In a fourth M&A deal this year, and the second in ophthalmics, Ireland-incorporated Allergan (NYSE: AGN) revealed that it has acquired substantially all of the assets of RetroSense Therapeutics, a private, clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on novel gene therapy approaches to restore vision in patients suffering from blindness, in an all-cash transaction.

Under the terms of the deal, Allergan has paid RetroSense $60 million upfront, and has agreed to potential regulatory and commercialization milestone payments related to its lead development program, RST-001, a novel gene therapy for the potential treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP).

"The acquisition of RetroSense and its RST-001 program builds on Allergan's deep commitment to eye care, and our focus on investing in game-changing innovation for retinal conditions, including Retinitis Pigmentosa, where patients desperately need treatment options," said Brent Saunders, chief executive and president of Allergan.