Technology

Nanoscope Therapeutics is developing optogenetic gene therapies using Multi-Characteristic Opsin (MCO) to re-sensitize the retina to detect low light levels. These therapies have the potential to restore vision in millions of visually impaired individuals suffering from retinal degenerative diseases, including Retinitis Pigmentosa, Stargardt Disease and Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

MCO-010 for RP and Stargardt Disease

Our lead product, MCO-010, is in clinical development for retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Stargardt disease, which are two rare retinal diseases that cause blindness. MCO-010 has been granted Orphan Drug and Fast Track designation by the US Food and Drug Administration for both diseases.

MCOs have potential to address all forms of retinal degeneration and are applicable for patients suffering from complete or partial damage to the retina.

Nanoscope’s MCO-010 gene therapy utilizes a convenient and well-established intraocular injection for delivery of a gene that encodes for the ambient light-sensitive MCO protein into retinal cells.  These therapies are intended to enable  retinal cells to detect light  so that patients with retinitis pigmentosa or Stargardt disease may see again.

How our proprietary technology differs from other gene therapies

Our therapy focuses on treating blindness regardless of the underlying genetic mutation

It is an ambient-light sensitive therapy in which a polychromatic Opsin is delivered to retinal cells enabling vision in different color environments

Simple and convenient office-based procedure, invasive ocular surgery not required

No external device or stimulation is required, eliminating risk of photo-toxicity

Nano-enhanced Optical Delivery – NOD

Imagine delivering new genetic material to retinal cells with no viruses at all.  The company has strategic partnerships to create a unique non-viral alternative gene delivery platform designed to improve targeting precision with less immunogenicity. The non-viral technology involves a near-infrared laser-based spatially targeted nano-enhanced delivery (NOD) of therapeutic genes. This technology can be used to deliver competent genes to correct the underlying genetic defects that lead to vision loss, as well as optical gene therapies.

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Nanoscope Therapeutics, Inc.
Trinity Towers
2777 N. Stemmons Fwy.
Dallas, TX 75207
(817) 857-1186

  • Dr. Samarendra Mohanty, PhD |  Co-Founder & President

    Samarendra Mohanty (Co-Founder/President) is an inventor & serial entrepreneur with 20+ years experience in Biomedical Sciences. He is Co-Founder of several Biotechs and Biomedical device /diagnostic companies (developed & commercialized $100K+ biomedical instruments.)

    Dr. Mohanty obtained M.Tech in Applied Optics from the Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi and a PhD in (Bio)Physics from the Indian Institute of Sciences-Bangalore.

    His extensive Biomedical Technologies experience includes serving as Professor/Senior Scientist at the University of Texas;  University of California, Irvine; Center for Adv. Tech (India); Int. Mol. Biotech (Germany); Univ. Pavia (Italy); NUS (Singapore); and University of St. Andrews (UK). He has authored over 200 international patents and publications in leading journals including Nature and Nature Photonics.

    He is the Principal Investigator for major grants from the National Eye Institute including Audacious Goal Initiative and Bioengineering Research grants. He serves on the editorial board of journals and chairs an international conference on optogenetics. He is the winner of a 2019 Healthcare Heroes award (Fort Worth Business Press), Retinal Organoid Challenge Award, Audacious Goal Initiative Award (NIH), Finalist of Tech Titan, and NIH-Director’s Innovator Award.