New Prospects for Gene Therapy in IRDs

Aaron Nagiel, MD, PhD, reflects on advances in retinal gene therapy since Luxturna's approval and the prospect of additional treatments.

By: Patricio G. Schlottmann, MD, Aaron Nagiel, MD, PhD

Retinal Physician November 11, 2026

Clinical Scorecard: New Prospects for Gene Therapy in IRDs

At a Glance

Category	Detail
Condition	Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs)
Key Mechanisms	The interview discusses gene therapy for IRDs and identifies laru-zova as a potential treatment for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa caused by RPGR mutations.
Target Population	Patients with IRDs; laru-zova is mentioned for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa caused by RPGR mutations.
Care Setting	Not specified in the interview.

Key Highlights

Luxturna was the first FDA-approved gene therapy for an inherited retinal disease, approved in 2017.
The speaker describes a “dry spell” since Luxturna’s approval.
The speaker says many retinal gene therapy trials are ongoing.
The speaker identifies laru-zova for RPGR-associated X-linked retinitis pigmentosa as a potential approval.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

Management

Monitoring & Follow-up

Risks

Patient & Prescribing Data

The interview discusses patients with IRDs and identifies laru-zova for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa caused by RPGR mutations.

The speaker states that Luxturna was FDA-approved in 2017 and describes ongoing trials, including a potential approval for laru-zova. The interview provides no prescribing or dosing details.