Opus Genetics Reports Positive OPGx-BEST1 Cohort 1 Data and FDA Alignment on Pivotal Endpoint
IRD has more than doubled off its 52-week low of $1.28 on elevated volume (2.0× avg).
Summary
Positive low-dose Cohort 1 data for OPGx-BEST1 were reported by Opus Genetics, with all five participants showing visual function improvement and no serious safety issues. The company also aligned with the FDA on a pivotal endpoint and over-enrolled Cohort 2.
Updates
· Benzinga — Shares surged 46.66% to $6.36, a 52-week high, following the data.
Key Events · Product Development and Regulatory · IRD
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Positive Cohort 1 Data
All 5 participants in low-dose Cohort 1 of the BIRD-1 trial showed clinically meaningful improvement in visual function; 75% (3/4) evaluable participants met the FDA-aligned microperimetry threshold of ≥3 dB improvement in ≥5 loci.
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Favorable Safety Profile
No serious adverse events, dose-limiting toxicities, or intraocular inflammation; all treatment-related adverse events were mild or moderate.
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FDA Alignment on Pivotal Endpoint
August 2026 FDA Type C meeting aligned on ≥3 dB microperimetry improvement in ≥5 prespecified loci with a patient-reported outcome in a randomized controlled trial; Phase 3 and commercial manufacturing requirements expected to complete in early 2027.
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Cohort 2 Over-Enrolled
Higher-dose Cohort 2 (4.5 x 10⁹ vg/eye) over-enrolled with 8 participants vs. 5 planned; dosing expected to complete Q4 2026 with topline 3-month data in Q2 2027.
Analysis · IRD · Life Sciences
Positive low-dose Cohort 1 data from the Phase 1/2 trial of OPGx-BEST1 in BEST1-related retinal diseases were announced by Opus Genetics. All five participants showed clinically meaningful improvement in visual function, with no serious adverse events or dose-limiting toxicities. A key regulatory hurdle was cleared as the company also aligned with the FDA on a potential pivotal endpoint based on ≥3 dB microperimetry improvement in ≥5 prespecified loci. Cohort 2 has been over-enrolled with eight participants, and the company now estimates a substantially larger addressable patient population (23,600 symptomatic U.S. patients). This de-risks the lead gene therapy program and supports a Phase 3 start in 2027.
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At the time of this filing, IRD was trading at $4.57 on NASDAQ in the Life Sciences sector, with a market capitalization of approximately $361.1M. The 52-week trading range was $1.28 to $5.81. This filing was assessed with positive market sentiment and an importance score of 8 out of 10.