Gene therapy: If you’re not first, are you last?

Gene therapies with data suggesting they may be safe and effective are dropping out of clinical development across multiple indications. The trend suggests the pipeline strategies companies have relied on for traditional modalities may not be the right fit for gene therapies.

At this point in the gene therapy story, companies are beginning to believe there will be little market for fast followers, and technologies that are sufficiently differentiated to justify pursuit of a best-in-class product aren’t mature. First-mover advantage is everything. ...