Neurochase Ltd. filed a patent for a septum-sealed transcutaneous, fluid-transferring device through which repeated access for the removal or delivery of fluid to the central nervous system (CNS) can be gained.

Hebecell Corp. and Logomix Inc. have established a strategic partnership to research and develop gene-edited natural killer (NK) cells and discover genetic modifications that can create next-generation designer NK cells. Under the agreement, Logomix provides genome editing capabilities to Hebecell for development of next-generation designer Protonk cells.

Shares in Uniqure NV fell sharply on inconclusive interim data from a U.S. phase I/II trial of its gene therapy for Huntington’s disease. The stock (NASDAQ:QURE) hit a six-year low during trading on June 21, ending the day at $11.62, down 40%.

After almost 30 years in business, Sangamo Therapeutics Inc. is finally nearing a BLA filing for one of its programs. But the company, wounded by the recent loss of alliances with Biogen Inc. and Novartis AG, is also running out of cash and investor interest – and it badly needs a new deal to stay afloat.

At the recent ASGCT meeting, researchers from Exegenesis Bio Inc. presented preclinical data for EXG-102-031, a novel recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-gene therapy being developed for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), also called wet AMD (wAMD).

Usher syndrome is the most common cause of deaf-blindness. Mutations in the protocadherin-15 (PCDH15) gene cause Usher syndrome type 1 F (USH1F), which makes up about 3-11% of all Usher syndrome cases. As a component of tip links of the inner ear hair cells, PCDH15 binds to cadherin-23 (CDH23) to convey force from sound stimuli to the mechanosensory transduction channels.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a skeletal muscular dystrophy characterized by DNA hypomethylation of D4Z4 repeat units of a macrosatellite array found at the distal end of chromosome region 4q35, which causes a myotoxic expression of DUX4. Researchers from Epic-Bio presented the discovery of EPI-321, a novel gene therapy candidate for the treatment of FSHD.

Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. CEO Doug Ingram said the U.S. FDA has promised to schedule “expeditiously” an advisory committee meeting on the BLA related to SRP-9001 (delandistrogene moxeparvovec) for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).