ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--RetroSense Therapeutics (www.retro-sense.com) announced today that it has entered into an option agreement with Massachusetts General Hospital under which RetroSense has the right to an exclusive, worldwide license to the patent application "Method for Augmenting Vision in Persons Suffering from Photoreceptor Cell Degeneration".
RetroSense is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing gene therapy approaches to vision restoration. The optioned patent application centers on methods for restoring or improving vision using optogenetic approaches. The research, focused on a protein known as melanopsin, was conducted by Richard Masland, PhD, director of the Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory in the MGH Department of Neurosurgery.
Optogenetics refers broadly to means of conferring light sensitivity to cells that were not previously, or natively light sensitive. It is proven science – optogenetics was Nature’s Method of the Year in 2010. By applying optogenetics to retinas in which photoreceptors (rods and cones) have degenerated, RetroSense is conferring new light sensitivity to the retina, with the expectation of improved or restored vision.
“This is an exciting development for RetroSense Therapeutics, as Dr. Masland’s work at Massachusetts General Hospital has been tremendous.” Stated Sean Ainsworth, CEO of RetroSense Therapeutics. “This intellectual property broadens our reach and strengthens our existing position in optogenetic approaches to vision restoration.”
Dr. Masland stated, “The goal of the work we have done so far is to find a therapy that can help restore some level of vision to people who are now blind from retinal disease. I look forward to moving forward with this work.”
About RetroSense Therapeutics
RetroSense Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing game-changing gene therapies designed to restore vision in patients suffering from blindness due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (advanced dry-AMD). There are currently no FDA approved drugs to improve or restore vision in patients with these retinal degenerative conditions. RetroSense is led by a team of seasoned veterans with deep experience in taking products from the discovery stage through to the clinic. For more information about RetroSense, visit www.retro-sense.com.
RetroSense Forward-Looking Statement
This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding RetroSense Therapeutics’ intellectual property estate, and the therapeutic and commercial potential of RetroSene’s technologies and products in development. Any statement describing RetroSense’s goals, intentions, beliefs, expectations, financial or other projections is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. RetroSense’s forward-looking statements also involve assumptions that, if incorrect, could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of RetroSense management, however, these statements are based solely upon elements currently known by RetroSense. Readers are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements.