MILAN, September 09, 2025 — AAVantgarde Bio (AAVantgarde), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation gene therapies for inherited retinal diseases, today announced the presentation of updated clinical data from the LUCE-1 study at the 25th European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA) Annual Congress (EURetina 2025), taking place in Paris 4-7 September 2025.

Data presented by Prof. Simonelli included safety data for the first 11 participants treated (the 5 participants from the low dose cohort, 5 participants from the medium dose cohort and the first participant from the high dose cohort).

Safety and efficacy data for the first 4 participants receiving AAVB-081 includes follow up of ≥ 180 days, with the first participant out to 1 year. There have been no drug-related serious adverse events or dose-limiting toxicities to date. Ocular inflammation has been infrequent, and reversible with steroid treatment. The four participants with ≥ 180 days of follow-up achieved > 1 line improvement in BCVA and the first two participants demonstrate > 3 lines improvement in LLVA. Microperimetry fixation stability also improved in 3 out of the 4 participants.

Prof. Francesca Simonelli, Head of the Ophthalmology Unit at the University Hospital of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” (Naples) and Principal Investigator of the LUCE-1 clinical trial, commented on the study's progress:

"The data we presented at EURetina 2025 are very encouraging, showing that treatment with AAVB-081 has been well tolerated and is beginning to demonstrate signals of clinical benefit. For patients living with Usher syndrome type 1B, who currently face inevitable vision loss without any therapeutic options, these findings represent an important step forward. We are optimistic that continued follow-up will further confirm the potential of this gene therapy to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives."

Dr. Natalia Misciattelli, CEO of AAVantgarde commented:

"We are thrilled to share these encouraging clinical results from the LUCE-1 study at EURetina 2025. The positive safety and efficacy data further validate the potential of our dual AAV vector platform and addresses the high unmet need in Usher syndrome type 1B. These findings reinforce our commitment to advancing innovative gene therapies that have the potential to transform the lives of patients and their families who currently have no treatment options."