Archive for the Nanoscope Press Release Category

Nanoscope’s Optical Gene Therapies to be Featured at Optogenetics and Optical Manipulation 2021 Conference

On March 5, 2021   /   Nanoscope Press Release  
Nanoscope’s Optical Gene Therapies to be Featured at Optogenetics and Optical Manipulation 2021 Conference

Nanoscope’s Optical Gene Therapies to be Featured at Optogenetics and Optical Manipulation 2021 Conference

Company’s President Samarendra Mohanty will co-chair the conference, which is part of the SPIE Photonics West Digital Forum

BEDFORD, Texas, March 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Researchers of Nanoscope Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing gene therapies for treatment of retinal diseases, will make multiple scientific presentations featuring its groundbreaking research on optical gene delivery and opsin based neuromodulation therapy at the Optogenetics and Optical Manipulation 2021 virtual conference, March 6 – 11, 20201.

Nanoscope President Samarendra Mohanty, Ph.D., is serving as a co-chair of the event, which is part of SPIE Photonics West’s week long series of online conferences and industry programs. SPIE is an international society for optics and photonics dedicated to advancing light-based technologies.

“Nanoscope is on the verge of significant breakthroughs in optical gene therapies for improving quality of life in people with retinal and neurological diseases,” said Dr. Mohanty. “We are developing both viral vector and non-viral light delivery of genes to reprogram neurons and make them light-activatable, allowing therapeutic modulation.”

Nanoscope’s lead product is an optogenetic gene therapy, vMCO-010, that delivers light- sensitive Multi-Characteristics Opsin (MCO) into retinal cells to restore vision in patients with retinal degeneration. If successful, the optogenetic therapy would be the first treatment aimed at correcting these retinal diseases.

Nanoscope also is developing an alternative, non-viral light-based gene delivery method that is designed to be more targeted with less immunogenicity.

Below are the sessions highlighting Nanoscope’s optical gene therapy research. All three sessions will be available on-demand starting March 6.

Neuroprotection by optical delivery of therapeutic gene into retina
Author(s): Subrata Batabyal, Sanghoon Kim, Michael Carlson, Houssam Al-Saad, Jazlyn Gallego, Adnan Dibas, Samarendra Mohanty

Development and functional characterization of retinal dystrophy model using targeted layer-specific laser microirradiation
Author(s): Micahel Carlson, Sanghoon Kim, Subrata Batabyal, Samarendra Mohanty

Pain modulation by multi-characteristic opsin sensitization of inhibitory network of brain
Author(s): Darryl Narcisse, Robert Benkowski, Arman Fijany, Samarendra Mohanty

About Nanoscope Therapeutics Inc.
Nanoscope Therapeutics is advancing gene therapy using light-sensitive molecules for giving sight to the millions of blind individuals suffering from retinal degenerative diseases, for which no cure exists. Nanoscope utilizes an ambient light-sensitive MCO molecule to re-photosensitize the retina. The company’s pipeline includes optogenetics based retinal regeneration therapy for vision restoration in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and dry age-related macular degeneration.

Contact:
Charles Craig
Opus Biotech Communications
[email protected]
404-245-0591

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Nanoscope President to Deliver Talk on Gene Therapy for Retinal Diseases at Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics Conference

On March 3, 2021   /   Nanoscope Press Release  
Nanoscope President to Deliver Talk on Gene Therapy for Retinal Diseases at Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics Conference

Nanoscope President to Deliver Talk on Gene Therapy for Retinal Diseases at Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics Conference

Company’s lead product, an optogenetic gene therapy to restore vision for patients with retinitis pigmentosa, expected to enter seminal clinical trials in 2021

BEDFORD, Texas, March 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Nanoscope Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing gene therapies for treatment of inherited retinal diseases, today announced that its President, Samarendra Mohanty, Ph.D., will participate in the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (AOPT) 15th Biennial (Virtual) Meeting, March 4-7, 2021.

Dr. Mohanty will deliver a presentation titled, “Ready for the Future: Refunctionalizing, Reprogramming, Revitalizing and Regenerating Retina for Restoring Vision,” during an AOPT Special Session, Saturday, March 6, at 12 pm EST.

“Hundreds of millions individuals are suffering from vision loss due to damage to the retina and optic nerve,” said Dr. Mohanty, who also serves as Nanoscope’s Chief Scientific Officer. “We are developing gene therapies to reprogram retinal cells and make them functionally active to regain vision.”

In addition, Nanoscope will participate in a session Friday, March 5, at 1:30 pm EST, and will make a presentation titled: “Low-Vision Multi-Parameter Test (LVMPT) to Quantitatively Measure Visual Level of Low-Vision Patients.”

“The LVMPT measures functional vision which can serve as a novel key endpoint for our clinical trial on Low-Vision Patients,” said Sai Chavala, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Nanoscope.

AOPT is a global, not-for-profit organization for scientists and individuals from all disciplines related to ocular pharmacology and its therapeutic applications. Members are from academic institutions, pharma and biotech industries, device companies, and clinics.

Nanoscope’s lead product is an optogenetic gene therapy, vMCO-010, that delivers light-sensitive Multi-Characteristic Opsin (MCO) into retinal cells to restore vision in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and Stargardt disease. Both applications have received orphan drug designation from the US-FDA. If successful, the optogenetic therapy would be the first treatment aimed at correcting these conditions.

About Nanoscope Therapeutics Inc.
Nanoscope Therapeutics, Bedford, TX, is advancing gene therapy using light-sensitive molecules for giving sight to the millions of blind individuals suffering from retinal degenerative disease, for which no cure exists. Nanoscope utilizes an ambient light-sensitive MCO molecule to re-sensitize the retina toward ambient light level. The company’s pipeline includes optogenetics based retinal regeneration therapy for vision restoration in patients with retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Contact:
Dan Eramian
Opus Biotech Communications
[email protected]
425-306-8716

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Nanoscope® team conferred Phase II Retinal Organoid Challenge (ROC) award by National Institute of Health

On February 2, 2021   /   Nanoscope Press Release, Home Page  
Nanoscope® team conferred Phase II Retinal Organoid Challenge (ROC) award by National Institute of Health

Nanoscope® team conferred Phase II Retinal Organoid Challenge (ROC) award by National Institute of Health

BEDFORD, Texas, Feb. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — To meet the advance challenge for generating a physiologically relevant three-dimensional (3D) retinal organoid, Nanoscope researchers® in collaboration with University of Colorado, and Miami University were recently awarded the top prize from the 3D-ROC challenge by the National Institute of Health (NIH).  https://www.nei.nih.gov/about/goals-and-accomplishments/nei-research-initiatives/3-d-retina-organoid-challenge-3-d-roc/2017-ideation-challenge/2017-ideation-winner-and-honorable-mention

The organoids provide a unique opportunity for evaluating novel gene therapies including Multi-Characteristic Opsin (MCO) gene therapy for vision restoration. This is an active therapeutic development area for Nanoscope Therapeutics to evaluate effectiveness of MCO optogenetic therapy, which has shown promise in restoring sight in blind subjects. The opsin-based (and other gene therapy) treatment requires evaluation of potency in-vitro (for release characterization of drug) and objective clinical measurements. While we are currently using fluorescence imaging for objective measurement of potency of MCO-drug, there is a need for label-free evaluation of light activated activities in opsin-sensitized neurons. This is especially important because fluorescence methods inherently perturb the light-sensitive opsin-expressing neurons.

“Nanoscope continue to develop breakthrough technologies to assess neural activities without use of excitation light (as used in fluorescence) and is currently working on implementing this approach for objective label-free detection of activities of natural photoreceptors of eye as well as opsin-sensitized cellular activities in response to light stimulation in-vivo,” said Samarendra Mohanty, PhD, President and Chief Scientific Officer.

For the 3D ROC challenge, Nanoscope used near-infrared light-based Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) integrated with electro and opto-physiology device to measure both structure and function of layer-specific cells in the targeted regions of retina.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh0IqFZV_I0&list=LL&index=3&t=19s

This label-free activity detection technology has already attracted several Biopharmaceutical companies to evaluate their therapeutic approaches.

“We are also advancing OCT guided targeted laser microirradiation technology for creating models of degenerative eye diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and dry age-related macular degeneration (dry-AMD) as well as for targeted delivery of therapeutic genes,” said Sulagna Bhattacharya, CEO of Nanoscope.  

About NANOSCOPE THERAPEUTICS Inc.

Nanoscope Therapeutics is advancing gene therapy using light-sensitive MCO-molecules for giving sight to the millions of blind individuals suffering from retinal degenerative disease, for which no cure exists. Our pipeline includes optogenetics based retinal regeneration therapy for vision restoration in patients with RP, Stargardt disease, and dry-AMD.

Contact:

Sulagna Bhattacharya
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
817-719-2692
[email protected]

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Nanoscope Therapeutics Receives Orphan Drug Designation for Gene Therapy of Blindness

On January 25, 2021   /   Nanoscope Press Release  

Nanoscope President to Deliver Talk on Gene Therapy for Retinal Diseases at Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics Conference

This is the second program based on Nanoscope’s Multi-Characteristic Opsin Platform to receive orphan designation. This designation highlights the unmet need for therapy of patients with rare form of inherited macular degeneration.

BEDFORD, Texas, Jan. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — NANOSCOPE THERAPEUTICS Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company determined to change lives through the ocular gene therapy, today announced that it has received an Orphan drug designation from FDA for gene therapy-based treatment of Stargardt disease, a form of inherited retinal degenerative disease caused by gene mutation and passed on to children.

Central vision loss due to poor functioning RPE cells and loss of photoreceptors in the macula is the hallmark of Stargardt disease. According to Federation for Fighting Blindness, Stargardt disease is the most common form of inherited macular degeneration, affecting about 30,000 people in the U.S. The loss of vision is devastating to both children and adults, and significantly impacts their quality of life.  There is an immense need to restore vision in these patients.

“Currently, there are no approved therapies for Stargardt Disease” said Sulagna Bhattacharya, Chief Executive Officer of Nanoscope. “We are excited by the potential of ambient light activatable Multi-Characteristic Opsin (MCO) based photosensitization of retinal neurons for treating Stargardt disease in a gene agnostic manner.”

“vMCO-010 expands the portfolio of orphan drug designations obtained in multiple pipeline programs, expanding its therapeutic potential from Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) with peripheral retinal degeneration to macular degeneration as in Stargardt disease”, said Al Guillem, Chairman of Nanoscope Therapeutics Board.

Sai Chavala, Chief Medical Officer of Nanoscope, commented “We look forward to developing our innovative optogenetic platform technologies for visually-challenged patients through continued interaction with the FDA.  The orphan designation will aid in accelerating our clinical development program.”

The Orphan Drug Act encourage the development of medicines for rare diseases, and benefits include tax credits and application fee waivers designed to offset clinical development costs, as well as eligibility for seven years of post-approval market exclusivity.

“We are extremely excited and pleased to announce a second orphan drug designation for MCO based treatment for retinal diseases. Since the pathology of degenerated macula in Stargardt disease is similar to that of dry-AMD, we are very excited about the opportunity to learn from our Stargardt program and advance MCO-based dry-AMD program” said Samarendra Mohanty, President and Chief Scientific officer of Nanoscope that received an orphan designation in 2017 for MCO for treatment of RP.

About NANOSCOPE THERAPEUTICS Inc.

Nanoscope Therapeutics is advancing gene therapy using light-sensitive molecules for giving sight to the millions of blind individuals suffering from retinal degenerative disease, for which no cure exists. We utilize an ambient light-sensitive MCO molecule to re-sensitize the retina toward ambient light level. Our pipeline includes optogenetics based retinal regeneration therapy for vision restoration in patients with RP, Stargardt disease, and dry-AMD.

Contact:

Sulagna Bhattacharya
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
817-719-2692
[email protected]

https://nanostherapeutics.com

 

 

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Nanoscope Announces Presentation at the 2020 Annual Meeting of American Academy of Ophthalmology

On November 13, 2020   /   Nanoscope Press Release  

Nanoscope Therapeutics Announces Presentation at the 2020 Annual Meeting of American Academy of Ophthalmology

BEDFORD, Texas, Nov. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — NANOSCOPE THERAPEUTICS Inc., a clinical- stage biotechnology company determined to change lives through the ocular gene therapy based on its proprietary ambient light activatable MCO Optogenetic Technology Platform, today announced that an oral presentation at the Late Breaking Developments session of Retina Subspecialty Day will be made during the American Academy Ophthalmology (AAO) 2020 Annual Meeting, taking place November 13-15, 2020.

The presentation will feature data from the vMCO-010 Phase 1/2a intravitreal trial for the treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). Details are as follows:

Title: Phase 1/2a Study of Intravitreal Optogenetics Gene Therapy for Vision Restoration in Advanced Retinitis Pigmentosa
Presenter: Dr. Santosh Mahapatra, Chief Medical Ofcer, JPM Rotary Eye Hospital and Research Center
Date/time: 13th November 2020, 3.00 PM PST; also available on-demand Session title: Late Breaking Developments, Part IThe Nanoscope co-authors of the presentation are Sai Chavala (Chief Medical Ofcer), Samuel Barone (Advisor), Samarendra Mohanty (President and Chief Technology & Innovation Ofcer), Subrata Batabyal, Michael Carlson, Ananta Ayyagari, and Kissaou Tchedre.
About NANOSCOPE THERAPEUTICS Inc.
Nanoscope Therapeutics is advancing gene therapy using light-sensitive molecules and light- assisted gene delivery for giving sight to the millions of blind individuals suffering from retinal degenerative disease, for which no cure exists. We utilize an ambient light-sensitive Multi- Characteristic Opsin (MCO) molecule to re-sensitize the retina toward low light level. Our light- assisted gene therapy is highly targeted to geographic atrophies without perturbing the intact retina circuitry. Our team is highly experienced in Ophthalmology product development and clinical translation of innovative research. Our pipeline includes light based retinal regeneration therapy and light-based cortical prosthetics for vision restoration.
Contact:
Sulagna Bhattacharya
Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
817-719-2692
[email protected]
nanostherapeutics.com 
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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.