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
| Phase | Phase1; Phase2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 27 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | SparingVision Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 3 sites (Ghent and 2 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 8, 2025 |
| Main results expected | March 2032 |
| Study ends | March 2032 |
| Registry record updated | September 8, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07807111 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
- Study coordinator: Medical Director
- Email: info@sparingvision.com
- Phone: +33143462060
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Brain stimulation to improve orientation and mobility in adults with vision impairment
This pilot test checks if a non-invasive brain stimulation method can help people with constricted visual fields move around more easily using a cane and other cues.
-
Investigating OpCT-001 for treating primary photoreceptor disease
This study is testing a new treatment called OpCT-001 to see if it can safely help adults with primary photoreceptor diseases, like Retinitis Pigmentosa and Usher Syndrome, improve their vision.
-
Eye gene therapy for retinitis pigmentosa with a single RTx-015 injection
A single eye injection of RTx-015 is being tested to see if it helps people with retinitis pigmentosa.
-
Natural History Look at Advanced Rod-Cone Dystrophy under Standard Care
This study tests how standard eye care affects people with advanced rod-cone dystrophy (retinitis pigmentosa) to understand what happens over time.
-
Pitavastatin in PLGA Nanoparticles for Retinitis Pigmentosa safety test
This Phase 1 study tests whether an intravenous pitavastatin nanoparticle formulation is safe for adults with retinitis pigmentosa.
-
NPI-001 for preserving photoreceptors in RP with Usher syndrome
This trial tests whether NPI-001 can slow vision loss in adults with RP linked to Usher syndrome, compared with a placebo over 24 months.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.