Clinical trial Recruiting at 3 sites Phase1; Phase2 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Gene therapy SPVN20 for advanced rod-cone dystrophy

Official title: A Phase I/IIa Clinical Trial to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of a Single Intravitreal Injection of SPVN20 Gene Therapy in Participants With Advanced Rod-Cone Dystrophy

Run by SparingVision · NCT07807111 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests different doses of SPVN20 injected into the eye to see if it is safe and can help people with advanced rod-cone dystrophy.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment27 (estimated)
SponsorSparingVision
Industry-sponsored
Locations3 sites (Ghent and 2 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 8, 2025
Main results expectedMarch 2032
Study endsMarch 2032
Registry record updatedSeptember 8, 2026
Trial IDNCT07807111 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults (18+) with genetically confirmed advanced non-syndromic rod-cone dystrophy and preserved foveal cones in the study eye.

Probably not a fit

Patients without preserved foveal cone structure or with exclusion criteria may derive no benefit and could face risks from the injection.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is an open-label, first-in-human Phase 1/2a trial conducted at multiple centers to evaluate escalating doses of SPVN20 given as a single intravitreal injection. Participants will be followed for up to five years to monitor safety, tolerability, and signs of efficacy, with data reviewed by an independent safety committee. The study uses a dose-escalation and dose-expansion design across three cohorts, each enrolling nine adults with genetically confirmed advanced non-syndromic rod-cone dystrophy and preserved foveal cone structure. Enrollment is sequential by cohort, and participants will receive only SPVN20 in their study eye. Primary goals are to establish safety and to explore potential clinical benefit in this degenerative retinal condition.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, SPVN20 could provide a meaningful change in vision or slow progression for some patients with advanced rod-cone dystrophy.

How similar studies have gone: Other gene therapy trials for inherited retinal diseases have shown safety signals and potential functional gains in similar patient populations, but this exact SPVN20 approach is being explored in a first-in-human study.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥ 18 years old at enrollment.
2. Participant with a genetically confirmed clinical diagnosis of advanced RCD in both eyes due to non-syndromic RCD.
3. Participants enrolled in the Dose-Escalation cohorts must have a BCVA meeting the study eye criteria.
4. Documented preservation of foveal cone cell bodies in the study eye (as shown on SD-OCT imaging).
5. Participant with a history of formed vision.
6. Participant willing and able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Participant participating in another clinical trial and receiving an investigational medicinal product (IMP) within either 5 half-lives of that IMP, or 90 days prior to the injection of SPVN20.
2. Participant with cortical visual impairment.
3. Participant with systemic disease or other pathology not related to their diagnosis of RCD, and whose symptoms or associated treatments may affect vision.
4. Participant with known allergies to corticosteroids, or who will be unable to tolerate the corticosteroid regimen.
5. Participant who has received immunosuppressive therapies or any other therapy known to impact the immune system during the last month prior to SPVN20 administration.
6. Active ocular inflammation or recurrent history of idiopathic or autoimmune-associated uveitis.
7. Participant known to be allergic to any of the delivery vehicle constituents or to any other drugs planned to be used during the clinical study.
8. Active alcohol or substance abuse.
9. Participant positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or any other systemic immunocompromising disease.
10. Participant with active Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C.
11. Female participant currently pregnant or breastfeeding or intending to become pregnant.
12. Participant with clinically active ocular infection of herpetic diseases.
13. Participant with active coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection.
14. Participant who received any vaccination/immunization within 28 days prior to screening and/or during screening.
15. Participant who previously received any gene therapy product, stem cell therapy, cell-based therapy for ocular or non-ocular disease.
16. Participant with a retinal implant at enrollment.
17. Participant with pre-existing eye conditions that would interfere with the interpretation of study endpoints, or increase the risk of surgical complications.
18. Participant with significant media opacity impacting evaluation of the retina or vitreous.
19. Participant who had intraocular surgery within 90 days of study treatment administration.
20. Participant with history of corticosteroid-induced raised IOP of \>25 mmHg following corticosteroid exposure, despite topical IOP-lowering pharmacologic therapy.
21. Participant with history of unresolved rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in the fovea.
22. Participant with history of unresolved ocular hypotony.
23. Participant unwilling or unable (based on the Investigator's judgment) to comply with the study protocol.
24. Participant with any condition that would not allow them to complete follow-up examinations during the study and, in the opinion of the Investigator, would make them unsuitable for the study.
25. Participant currently taking restricted classes of medications listed in protocol
26. Participant with ongoing cardiac or neurological disorders not managed by a restricted medication can be excluded based on the Investigator's judgement.
27. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) and men and/or their partner(s) of childbearing potential who do not agree to use a highly effective contraceptive method.

Where it's running

  • Ghent University Hospital
    Ghent, Belgium
    Recruiting
  • CHNO XV-XX Paris - CIC 1423
    Paris, France
    Recruiting
  • Royal Victoria Eye And Ear Hospital
    Dublin, Ireland
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.