Benzinga | Mar 1, 2021 09:51AM EST

Homology Medicines Regains Global Rights To Novartis Ophthalmology Program

Homology Medicines Inc (NASDAQ: FIXX) has regained worldwide exclusive rights from Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) to research, develop, manufacture, and commercialize its proprietary nuclease-free gene-editing technology platform for an ophthalmic target.

* Novartis had concluded the collaboration and licensing agreement with Homology announced in 2017 to pursue other opportunities in their pipeline.

* The company has generated in vivo data in two different eye targets.

* "AAVHSC vectors can edit the back of the eye, and we plan to share additional data from the ophthalmology program at a scientific meeting in May," said Arthur Tzianabos, President and CEO of Homology Medicines.

* Price Action: FIXX shares were trading 3.54% higher at $11.12, and NVS shares were up 0.8% at $86.61 in market trading hours on the last check Monday.