DALLAS, June 26, 2025 — Nanoscope Therapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company committed to developing and commercializing novel gene-agnostic therapies for patients suffering severe vision loss from retinal degenerative diseases, today announced the formation of its Visionary Advisory Committee (VAC) – a group of renowned experts in retina treatment and commercialization.
The VAC will serve as a strategic and mission-aligned team that informs Nanoscope’s scientific, clinical, and community-facing efforts. Its mission: to elevate the care of patients, foster authentic engagement with physicians, and help chart the path to delivering a transformative therapy first to people living with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Stargardt disease (SD).
“This is more than just a committee — it represents a clear declaration of our unwavering commitment to the patients we serve and the mission in which we believe,” said Sulagna Bhattacharya, co-founder and CEO of Nanoscope Therapeutics. “At Nanoscope we’re building the future of retinal care with our eyes wide open, guided by those who truly understand the lives of the patients we are committed to helping.”
MCO-010 is the most advanced clinical-stage optogenetic therapy in development for RP. Using Nanoscope’s proprietary Multi-Characteristic Opsin (MCO), MCO-010 is the first optogenetic investigational therapy to demonstrate potential vision restoration in patients with severe vision loss in clinical trials.
“What sets MCO-010 apart is not only its scientific advances, but its real-world accessibility,” added Bhattacharya. “It’s designed to be delivered as a single, in-office injection—without the need for genetic testing, surgery, or ongoing maintenance.”
The VAC will be chaired by SriniVas Sadda, M.D., the A. Ray Irvine, Jr., MD, Endowed Chair in Clinical Ophthalmology and Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine and the Doheny Eye Institute.
“As retina specialists, we face a desperate need to change the conversation about blindness with our patients — from one of inevitability to one of possibility,” said Dr. Sadda. “I’m honored to be part of a team that believes the status quo is not set in stone, and that restoration of vision is not a dream — it’s a goal within reach.”
In addition to Dr. Sadda, members of the VAC include:
- Allen Ho, M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology, Thomas Jefferson University and Director of Retina Research, Wills Eye Hospital. Chief Medical Advisor for Nanoscope Therapeutics
- Peter Kaiser, M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and Chaney Family Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology Research, Cole Eye Institute
- Christine Kay, M.D., Director of Clinical Research and Retinal Genetics, Vitreoretinal Associates in Gainesville
- Arshad Khanani, M.D., M.A., Clinical Professor, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and Director of Clinical Research, Sierra Eye Associates
- Vinit Mahajan, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Ophthalmology, Stanford University and Vice Chair for Research and Director of the Molecular Surgery Program, Byers Eye Institute
- Jordi Monés, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Institut de la Màcula, Barcelona
- Mark Pennesi, M.D., Ph.D., Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University and Director, Inherited Retinal Degenerations Division, Retina Foundation
For complete bios, visit: https://nanostherapeutics.com/who-we-are/#vac
The formation of the VAC reflects Nanoscope’s belief that bringing meaningful innovation to patients begins with partnership and continues with action, to bring back the light of hope to the millions of patients across the world suffering from retinal degeneration.
About Nanoscope Therapeutics Inc.
Nanoscope Therapeutics is developing gene-agnostic, vision-restoring optogenetic therapy for millions of patients blinded by retinal degenerative diseases. Following positive results from the RESTORE Phase 2b/3 multicenter, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled clinical trial for retinitis pigmentosa (RP) (NCT04945772), a rolling FDA BLA submission is planned to commence in June 2025. If approved, MCO-010 has the potential to be the standard of care for RP patients, administered as a one-time, in-office injection without the need for genetic testing. The company has also shown promising results in the STARLIGHT Phase 2 clinical trial of MCO-010 in Stargardt disease (SD) (NCT05417126) and plans to initiate a Phase 3 registrational trial in 2025. MCO-010 has received FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations for both RP and SD. Preclinical programs include Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), in IND-enabling studies, as well as an IND-ready asset for geographic atrophy (GA).
Contact:
Nanoscope Therapeutics
(817) 857-1186
PR@nanostherapeutics.com
SOURCE Nanoscope Therapeutics