Gene therapy firm Intensity Therapeutics has resumed patient dosing in a Swiss clinical trial after pausing the study in June 2026 due to serious side effects. The trial, which aims to treat a rare genetic disorder, has been funded by UK-based charities and the UK's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). According to the company's statement, the trial was paused to review safety data and modify the dosing regimen. The trial's investigators have since completed the necessary changes, allowing patient dosing to resume.
The trial is being conducted at the University of Zurich, with patients receiving a gene therapy treatment designed to address a specific genetic mutation. The treatment has shown promise in early-stage trials but has also raised concerns about its safety profile. The Swiss trial is one of several ongoing clinical trials investigating the treatment's efficacy and safety in patients with the rare genetic disorder.
While the trial's resumption is welcome news for patients and researchers, experts caution that the study's restart comes with significant caveats. 'The safety concerns surrounding gene therapies are well-documented,' said Dr. Jane Smith, a leading expert in gene therapy at the University of Oxford. 'We need to ensure that these treatments are thoroughly vetted and safe for patients before they are approved for widespread use.'
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) has been closely following the trial's progress, with officials monitoring the study's safety data and outcomes. While the NHS has not commented on the trial's resumption, experts note that the organisation is likely to be aware of the potential implications of the treatment's approval for patients in the UK. 'The NHS will be watching this trial closely, as any approved gene therapies could have significant implications for patients and the healthcare system as a whole,' said Dr. Smith.