Ocugen rises as gene therapy shows promise for blinding eye disease

Shares of drugmaker Ocugen OCGN.O rise 2.7% to $1.93 premarket

Co says experimental therapy, OCU410, slowed progression of geographic atrophy, a severe form of age-related macular degeneration

About half the patients on therapy saw eye lesion growth reduced by 46% vs. no treatment, while a medium dose cut growth by 54% - OCGN

Adds there were no serious side effects reported in the 51-patient mid-stage trial

Plans larger late-stage trial in 2026; targets regulatory filing in 2028

As of last close, stock up ~68% over the past year