Bausch + Lomb Collaborates with City Therapeutics on Novel RNAi-Based Treatment for Geographic Atrophy

Strategic Collaboration:
Bausch + Lomb has entered into a strategic collaboration with City Therapeutics, a privately held biopharmaceutical company, to develop a novel RNAi-based treatment for geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)13.

RNAi Technology:
City Therapeutics will leverage its next-generation RNAi engineering technologies to develop a novel RNAi clinical candidate for intravitreal administration. Bausch + Lomb will be responsible for IND-enabling studies, clinical development, regulatory submissions, and commercialization activities if they elect to pursue the candidate further13.

Financial Terms:
City Therapeutics has received an upfront cash payment and is eligible to receive contingent payments of up to $485 million tied to development, regulatory, commercial, and sales milestones, as well as tiered royalty payments on net product sales13.

City Therapeutics Background:
City Therapeutics was founded by pioneers in RNAi, including John Maraganore, Ph.D., former CEO of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. The company aims to harness next-generation engineering of RNAi trigger molecules to improve and expand the reach of RNAi-based medicines2.

Bausch + Lomb’s Strategy:
Bausch + Lomb is focused on finding treatments that address unmet needs or significantly improve upon the current standard of care. The collaboration with City Therapeutics is part of their strategy to bolster their therapeutic pipeline in GA and other ophthalmic diseases35.

Sources:

1. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250110721269/en/City-Therapeutics-Announces-Strategic-Collaboration-with-Bausch-Lomb-to-Develop-a-Novel-RNAi-Based-Treatment-for-Geographic-Atrophy

2. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241008588238/en/City-Therapeutics-Launches-with-135-Million-Series-A-Financing-to-Lead-the-Future-of-RNAi-based-Medicine

3. https://eyewire.news/news/bausch-lomb-makes-two-deals-to-bolster-therapeutic-pipeline-in-ga-and-glaucoma

5. https://www.bausch.com/products/rx-pharmaceuticals/retinal-conditions/