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§ Private Profile · Paris, Île-de-France
SparingVision is a company.
SparingVision is a clinical-stage genomic medicines company developing therapies for inherited retinal diseases. Its lead program, SPVN20, is a gene-agnostic, intravitreal AAV-based gene therapy. It preserves functional retinal cells and targets dormant cones, offering a solution independent of specific genetic mutations to restore vision.
Founded in 2016 by Jose Alain Sahel and Thierry Léveillard, SparingVision emerged from their over two decades of ophthalmic research at the Paris Vision Institute. Their insight underscored the need for therapeutic strategies beyond gene-specific approaches, leading to its formation, translating this advanced science into clinical applications.
SparingVision targets individuals with severe inherited ocular conditions who have limited treatment options. The company's vision is to lead ophthalmic gene therapy, advancing pioneering science to develop transformative, vision-saving treatments. They aim to provide comprehensive solutions that prevent vision loss and restore sight for patients.
SparingVision has raised $128.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Key people at SparingVision.
SparingVision was founded in 2016 by Thierry Léveillard (Co-founder) and Jose Alain Sahel (Co-founder).
SparingVision has raised $128.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
SparingVision was founded in 2016 by Thierry Léveillard (Co-founder) and Jose Alain Sahel (Co-founder).
SparingVision has raised $128.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
SparingVision's investors include Sabine Dandiguian, Jeanne Cunicelli, 4BIO Capital, Bpifrance, Rusty Kelley, Stephane Boissel, Ysios Capital, UPMC Enterprises, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Karen Wagner.
SparingVision has raised $128.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $75.0M Series B in September 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2022 | $75M Series B | Sabine Dandiguian, Jeanne Cunicelli | 4BIO Capital, Bpifrance, Rusty Kelley, Stephane Boissel, Ysios Capital | Announced |
| Oct 1, 2020 | $53M Series A | 4BIO Capital, UPMC Enterprises | Bpifrance, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Sabine Dandiguian, Karen Wagner | Announced |
SparingVision is a clinical-stage genomic medicines company developing vision-saving gene therapies for retinal diseases causing blindness, such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).[1][2][4] It serves patients with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and geographic atrophy, addressing the unmet need for lasting treatments beyond single-gene corrections by using mutation-agnostic approaches like delivering rod-derived cone viability factor (RdCVF) via SPVN06 to protect cone photoreceptors and preserve central vision.[1][4][5] The company has grown from 4 employees in 2016 to nearly 40, raised €60 million from investors including 4BIO Capital, Bpifrance, and UPMC Enterprises, and advanced to Phase I/II trials for SPVN06 (PRODYGY trial), earning recognition as a 2023 Fierce 15 company for its innovative pipeline.[1][2][3]
SparingVision was founded in 2016 by Prof. José-Alain Sahel, an ophthalmology expert and director of the UPMC Vision Institute, and the late Dr. Thierry Léveillard, a French researcher, to translate over 20 years of pioneering ophthalmic research from the Paris Vision Institute into treatments for blindness.[1][2][5] The idea emerged from their discovery of RdCVF, a protein secreted by rod photoreceptors essential for cone survival; in RP, rod death deprives cones of RdCVF, leading to central vision loss, prompting a "genotype-independent" gene therapy strategy applicable to all RP patients regardless of mutation.[1][5] Early traction included rapid growth to clinical phases, strategic acquisition of GAMUT Therapeutics to add SPVN20 (a GIRK channel therapy for dormant cones), and investor backing that fueled pipeline expansion.[1][2]
SparingVision rides the wave of genomic medicine advancements in ophthalmology, shifting from mutation-specific therapies to broader, gene-independent platforms amid rising demand for IRD/AMD treatments affecting millions worldwide without cures.[1][3][5] Timing aligns with maturing AAV vectors, CRISPR progress, and clinical successes in gene therapy, amplified by market forces like aging populations driving AMD prevalence and investor focus on high-unmet-need areas.[2][3] It influences the ecosystem by pioneering combo therapies (e.g., SPVN06+SPVN20), fostering collaborations (Intellia), and setting benchmarks for biotech innovation, as evidenced by Fierce Biotech's endorsement amid intense competition.[3][5]
SparingVision is poised to disrupt ocular therapeutics with Phase I/II data from PRODYGY expected to validate SPVN06's broad RP applicability, alongside SPVN20 advancement and CRISPR partnerships potentially yielding combo regimens for advanced disease.[2][3][5] Trends like AI-accelerated trial design, expanded AAV payloads, and regulatory nods for gene therapies will accelerate its path to approvals, evolving its influence from pipeline innovator to ecosystem leader in vision restoration.[1][4] This positions SparingVision to deliver on its mission of lasting blindness treatments, transforming patient outcomes where none existed.
Key people at SparingVision.
