Nanoscope Therapeutics, Inc.

By integrating patient data with AI/ML technologies, the research team aims to tackle challenging diseases impacting the kidneys and lungs. Credit: mi_viri/Shutterstock. GSK has announced a £50m ($54.3m) investment in a new partnership with the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals to expedite immune-related disease research and development (R&D). The five-year partnership, which builds on their existing scientific partnership, will be known as the Cambridge-GSK Translational Immunology Collaboration. Its focus will be on refining the treatment of immune-related diseases with current therapies and accelerating the creation of new ones. This will be achieved by deepening GSK’s research into disease mechanisms, progression, patient response and the development of translational biomarkers. The collaboration will specifically target respiratory and kidney diseases. Cambridge University Hospitals will play a crucial role in the partnership, with the Royal Papworth Hospital also expected to join as a partner. See Also: Thermo Fisher’s Oncomine gains FDA approval as brain tumor diagnostic AAO 2024: Nanoscope Therapeutics’ MCO-010 RESTOREs vision in RP patients The Cambridge Biomedical Campus will be instrumental in most of the partnership’s activities related to research, and provides an environment that combines academia, healthcare and industry backed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre. GSK chief scientific officer Tony Wood stated: “Collaboration is at the heart of scientific progress and is fundamental to how we do R&D at GSK. We’re excited to build on our existing work with the University of Cambridge to further this world-leading scientific and technological capability in the UK. “By bringing together Cambridge’s expertise and our own internal capabilities, including an understanding of the immune system and the use of AI to accelerate drug development, we have an opportunity to help patients struggling with complex disease.” The collaboration will adopt a “translational” approach, centred around patients and utilising AI and machine learning (ML). By integrating patient data with AI/ML technologies, the research team aims to tackle challenging diseases impacting the kidneys and lungs. In November 2023, Cambridge University’s spin-out T-Therapeutics raised £48m ($59.7m) in Series A financing to develop T cell receptor therapies.

DALLAS, Oct. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nanoscope Therapeutics Inc., a late-stage clinical biotechnology company developing gene therapies for retinal degenerative diseases today announced a breakthrough discovery in Translational Vision Science & Technology (TVST, an ARVO journal) demonstrating that MCO-010 optogenetic treatment of the inner retina arrests further retinal degeneration in an animal model of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), as assessed by optical coherence tomography and immunohistochemical analysis. Following intravitreal MCO-010 treatment (sonpiretigene isteparvovec), approximately 80% of bipolar cells were transduced in the retina, and no alterations in retinal thickness were observed, unlike the control group. The results described in the publication provide evidence that the expression of MCO-010 in the retinas of mice experiencing photoreceptor degeneration halts further loss and prevents further disorganization of the retinal cell layers. "MCO-010 is the only broadband, fast, and highly sensitive opsin currently in clinical trials and has demonstrated significant improvement in vision in advanced RP patients. In addition to restoring vision by MCO-010 intravitreal injection, measured by behavioral and electrophysiological assays, this disease-modifying aspect of MCO-010 provides a key therapeutic advantage in optogenetic therapies by targeting bipolar cells in the inner retina," said Dr. Vinit Mahajan, Professor and Vice Chair for Research, Department of Ophthalmology at Stanford University. "This disease-modifying aspect of MCO-010 has also been observed in an animal model of Stargardt disease as well as the nonhuman primate model for geographic atrophy," said Samarendra Mohanty, Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer of Nanoscope. "We have preliminary evidence of stabilization of retina structure in the RP clinical trial, and we plan to conduct a long-term evaluation of this anatomical biomarker." About Nanoscope Therapeutics, Inc. Nanoscope Therapeutics is developing gene-agnostic, sight-restoring optogenetic therapies for the millions of patients blinded by retinal degenerative diseases, for which no cure exists. Following positive end-of-study results from the RESTORE Phase 2b multicenter, randomized, double-masked, sham-controlled clinical trial for RP (NCT04945772), the company announced its plan to initiate BLA submission for MCO-010 to treat RP in Q1 2025. MCO-010 has received FDA Fast Track designations and FDA orphan drug designations for both RP and Stargardt. The company has completed the Phase 2 STARLIGHT trial of MCO-010 therapy in Stargardt patients (NCT05417126) and recently announced plans to initiate a Phase 3 registrational trial in Q1 2025. Preclinical assets include non-viral laser-delivered MCO-020 gene therapy for geographic atrophy. Investor Contact: Argot Partners (212) 600-1902 [email protected] SOURCE Nanoscope Therapeutics WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

The agreement is intended for the development and manufacture of a cell-based therapy for a diabetic foot ulcer clinical trial. Credit: Olga Apanasenko/Shutterstock. FibroBiologics has entered a master services agreement with Charles River Laboratories to develop and manufacture cell-based therapies for chronic diseases. The agreement will involve the manufacture of FibroBiologics’ working cell bank, therapeutic master cell bank and CYWC628, for use in a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) clinical trial, which is expected to commence in 2025. CYWC628 is a fibroblast-based spheroids product. FibroBiologics has concluded the technology transfer to Charles River for current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) manufacturing. Feasibility studies have also been conducted, confirming the viability of FibroBiologics’ cell manufacturing processes. See Also: Thermo Fisher’s Oncomine gains FDA approval as brain tumor diagnostic AAO 2024: Nanoscope Therapeutics’ MCO-010 RESTOREs vision in RP patients The collaboration with FibroBiologics leverages Charles River’s extensive testing capabilities, offering a comprehensive “concept to cure” solution in advanced therapies. Charles River Global Manufacturing corporate senior vice-president Kerstin Dolph stated: “Charles River’s work with FibroBiologics is part of a larger commitment to supporting next-generation regenerative medicine through the adoption of innovative therapies. “We are excited to collaborate with FibroBiologics and support the development of a therapy that has the potential to transform patient care for those impacted by diabetic foot wounds.” With the master services agreement in place, Charles River will act as the contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) for FibroBiologics. FibroBiologics founder and CEO Pete O’Heeron said: “The formalisation of our working relationship with Charles River is a pivotal step as we advance toward a significant wound care clinical trial in 2025 with CYWC628. “Working with Charles River opens new possibilities for innovation with its global reach and scalability potential. By combining our unique therapeutic fibroblast-based spheroids approach with Charles River’s expertise and unparalleled support, we are positioned to accelerate progress in delivering this treatment to patients.” FibroBiologics is investigating the potential of fibroblasts and fibroblast-derived materials in treating chronic diseases. These include multiple sclerosis, wound healing, degenerative disc disease, thymic involution reversal, psoriasis and cancer. In June 2024, Charles River signed an agreement with German company Captain T Cell to focus on the production of plasmid DNA and retrovirus vectors for gene-modified cell therapy. Cell & Gene Therapy coverage on Pharmaceutical Technology is supported by Cytiva . Editorial content is independently produced and follows the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Topic sponsors are not involved in the creation of editorial content. Free Whitepaper Cell and gene therapies: Pipe dream to pipeline The cell and gene industry is gaining momentum, with a new wave of therapies promising to transform the way doctors treat, and even cure, disease. In this report, Cytiva and GlobalData have collaborated to explore the rise of the cell and gene therapy industries, the current state of the market, present and future opportunities for advancement, and the challenges that lie ahead. Thank you. You will receive an email shortly. Please check your inbox to download the Whitepaper. By Cytiva Thematic By downloading this Whitepaper, you acknowledge that GlobalData may share your information with Cytiva Thematic and that your personal data will be used as described in their Privacy Policy