‘Oscar of science’ awarded to team behind gene therapy that restores lost vision

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 08:00:34 +0200

Married couple Jean Bennett and Albert Maguire developed Luxturna, which helped a patient see their child’s face for the first time A married couple who met over a dissected brain and went on to create the first approved gene therapy for blindness have been awarded one of the most lucrative prizes in science. Molecular biologist Jean Bennett and ophthalmologist Albert Maguire share the $3m (£2.2m) Breakthrough prize for life sciences with physician Katherine High for the 25-year-long project, during which the couple adopted a pair of dogs they had treated for blindness.