ZVS101e: AAV-mediated gene replacement therapy for Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD)

Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD), a rare autosomal recessive retinal degenerative disease caused by cytochrome P450 family 4 subfamily V member 2 (CYP4V2) mutations, leads to progressive vision loss and blindness and exhibits a high prevalence in East Asia. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene replacement therapy has emerged as the most promising therapeutic strategy for BCD, considering its success in monogenic retinal diseases and unique advantages for retinal delivery. This review provides valuable insights into the translational journey of BCD gene therapy to accelerate research progress, facilitate the sharing of resources and expertise, and overcome the complex challenges associated with the development of therapies for rare diseases. It also offers a comprehensive overview of the current progress and future prospects of ZVS101e and provides a valuable resource to researchers, clinicians, and patients interested in the development of gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases. Additionally, it highlights the translational potential of AAV-based therapy in addressing unmet medical needs, such as BCD, and emphasizes the crucial role of industry-university-research collaboration in driving innovative therapies from the laboratory to clinical practice. Potential use of suprachoroidal space injection to deliver the gene materials in treating BCD is also discussed.