** Shares of gene therapy company MeiraGTx Holdings plc MGTX.O up 13.6% at $7.76 premarket

** Co says early-stage study data for its experimental gene therapy, rAAV8.hRKp.AIPL1, showed safety, efficacy and meaningful responses for treatment of genetic eye condition called retinal dystrophy

** Says children who were blind at birth were treated with the gene therapy and showed visual acuity in eyes after four or more weeks in small study

** The therapy showed improved functional vision and evidence of protection against progressive retinal degeneration, without serious adverse effects

** Retinal dystrophy is caused due to genetic deficiency of type of protein called AIPL1, which leads severe impairment of sight from birth

** Co says study data is published in medical journal The Lancet

** MGTX stock has risen ~16% in last 12 months

(Reporting by Siddhi Mahatole)

((Siddhiprabhanjan.mahatole@thomsonreuters.com))