Katherine A. High, Jean Bennett and Albert Maguire share the 2026 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences. The prize recognizes their work leading to the first gene therapy product to receive regulatory market authorization from the U.S. FDA, a milestone that helped establish gene therapy as a new treatment modality in medicine.

Their achievement transformed the outlook for patients with RPE65-related inherited retinal disease. By replacing the defective RPE65 gene, the therapy restores a critical function in the visual cycle and can enable meaningful improvements in vision. The Breakthrough Prize recognition reflects not only this landmark achievement, but also a career of exceptional scientific vision and enduring impact on medicine.

Katherine A. High is a pioneer in the field of gene therapy and has played a central role in translating scientific discoveries into clinical application. Today, she serves as Chief Executive Officer of RhyGaze, IOB’s first spinout. RhyGaze was founded by IOB and builds on optogenetics research conducted by our scientists, with the aim of bringing innovative therapies for vision loss to patients. IOB is proud of this connection and honored that Dr. High is leading RhyGaze’s mission.

“The work of Katherine High, Jean Bennett and Albert Maguire has transformed the lives of patients with RPE65-related inherited retinal diseases and changed the landscape of medicine,” says Botond Roska, Director of Science at IOB. “Their recognition with the Breakthrough Prize is richly deserved, and we are privileged to have Katherine High leading RhyGaze.”