Alcon Scoops Up Aurion Biotech With Intent of Advancing Ophthalmology Cell Therapy AURN001
Alcon noted additional operational updates alongside the announcement.
This article originally appeared on our sister site, Ophthalmology Times Europe®.
A majority interest in Aurion Biotech, clinical-stage company developing ophthalmology cell therapy products, has been acquired by Alcon. The news comes shortly after an announcement from Alcon that it intends to acquire LENSAR, a deal which is expected to close in mid-to-late 2025.
Aurion will operate as a separate company with “full support,” including “broader R&D, regulatory, medical ophthalmic, and commercial capabilities”, that Alcon has at its disposal, according to the company.
Arnaud Lacoste, PhD, the former chief scientific officer of Aurion Biotech, has been appointed CEO of the company by Aurion's board.
“As the global leader in eye care, Alcon will help Aurion optimise the development of AURN001,” Lacoste said in a statement. “Since Aurion’s formation in 2022, we’ve achieved significant clinical, regulatory and CMC milestones to bring this much-needed therapy to patients, because we know there is a chronic global shortage of corneal tissue. With our manufacturing innovations, we can expand cells from a single donor to produce up to 1,000 doses. We look forward to leveraging Alcon’s global resources and commercial expertise as we initiate our United States phase 3 trials later this year.”
Aurion is developing AURN001, a clinical-stage allogeneic cell therapy product, for the treatment of corneal oedema secondary to corneal endothelial disease. It is a combination cell therapy product candidate comprised of allogeneic human corneal endothelial cells (neltependocel) and a rho kinase inhibitor (Y-27632). It is expected to move into phase 3 trials in the second half of 2025. AURN001 received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2024.
Aurion completed enrollment and dosing in its phase 1/2 clinical study of AURN001 and reported topline results at the end of last year. A total of 97 participants were randomized across 5 treatment arms, and the data will support the advancement of AURN001 into phase 3 development, according to the company.
In September 2024, Aurion announced the first commercial launch of Vyznova in Japan, which contains neltependocel, for the treatment of bullous keratopathy of the cornea.
