The merger of Freeline and SwanBio is establishing an entity with secure financing to advance their respective gene therapies for Gaucher’s disease and adrenomyeloneuropathy.

The UK firm’s substantial series A raise will help it advance a pipeline of gene therapy candidates for both rare and common retinal conditions, including a Phase II candidate rescued from a struggling biotech.

California biotech also notes prior licensing deal with Gilead for mitochondrial candidate. Twentyeight-Seven acquires RNA-splicing cancer candidate from Basilea.

AGTC hopes to gain the first approval in X-linked retinitis pigmentosa for its gene therapy AGTC-501, now in a Phase II/III study. It also is advancing development in achromatopsia, another unmet medical need.