Italian gene‑therapy developer AAVantgarde closed a $141 million Series B to support two pivotal clinical programs targeting inherited retinal diseases, with new and returning investors including Schroders Capital and Amgen Ventures. The financing will advance AAVB‑039 for Stargardt disease and AAVB‑081 for Usher 1B toward clinical proof of concept and registration studies. AAVantgarde cited the CELESTE and LUCE programs and an ongoing natural history STELLA study of over 100 patients. Investors emphasized the company’s AAV improvements and intein‑mediated approaches that may overcome limitations of current AAV platforms. The round highlights continued venture interest in ocular gene therapy and the funding needed to complete pivotal studies in ultra‑rare inherited retinal disorders.