Jean Bennett

Led the first successful ocular gene therapy application in humans. First, her pioneering gene therapy work produced the long-term reversal of blindness in large and small animal models of a severe congenital blinding disease, Leber Congenital Amaurosis. Then, she led the human clinical trial which first reported safe and sustained reversal of blindness in all twelve pediatric subjects, with the most dramatic results observed in the youngest individuals, who are now able to navigate independently and to participate in regular classroom and sport activities without visual aids. Older participants also benefited and feel that their increased vision is life-changing.