ARVO Foundation to give Subrata Batabyal, PhD, 2025 Carl Camras Translational Research Award

(Image credit: AdobeStock/andy_di)

Subrata Batabyal, PhD, has received 2025 Carl Camras Translational Research Award from the ARVO Foundation for his pioneering work in optogenetic vision restoration. The award, which comes with a $12,000 prize, recognizes early-career investigators engaged in translational research. Batabyal will receive the award during The Association for Research and Vision in Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2025 annual meeting, to be held in Salt Lake City from May 4-8. 1

Batabyal is the Director of Nonclinical Development for Nanoscope Therapeutics, where he significantly contributed to the translation of multi-characteristic opsin (MCO-010). This pharmaceutical candidate is a gene therapy that uses light-sensitive proteins that aims to restore vision in patients with inherited retinal diseases. The therapy has successfully progressed from laboratory studies to clinical trials, demonstrating promising results in treating patients with retinitis pigmentosa and other inherited retinal disorders.¹

In the company’s press release¹, Dr. Samarendra Mohanty, Co-Founder and President of Nanoscope spoke to this news, saying, “Dr. Batabyal continues to lead groundbreaking research initiatives in vision restoration at Nanoscope. He is representative of the outstanding team we have assembled, which is developing next-generation vision restoration treatments that could benefit potentially millions of patients worldwide who currently have limited treatment options.”

About MCO-010

Nanoscope Therapeutics is developing mutation-agnostic, sight-restoring optogenetic therapies. 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 a BLA submission for MCO-010 to treat RP in H1 2025. The company has completed the Phase 2 STARLIGHT trial of MCO-010 therapy in Stargardt patients (NCT05417126) and plans to initiate a Phase 3 registrational trial, also in 2025. MCO-010 has received FDA Fast Track designations and FDA orphan drug designations for both RP and Stargardt. Preclinical programs include an IND-ready non-viral laser-delivered MCO-020 asset for GA, as well as an AAV asset for Leber Congenital Amaurosis, in IND-enabling studies.²

Reference:

1. Nanoscope Director of Nonclinical Development, Dr. Subrata Batabyal, Recognized for Pioneering Work in Optogenetic Vision Restoration. Nanoscope Therapeutics. May 1, 2025. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://nanostherapeutics.com/2025/05/01/nanoscope-director-of-nonclinical-development-dr-subrata-batabyal-recognized-for-pioneering-work-in-optogenetic-vision-restoration/

2. Nanoscope Therapeutics Announces Participation at Eyecelerator® and ARVO 2025 Annual Meetings. April 25, 2025. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nanoscope-therapeutics-announces-participation-at-eyecelerator-and-arvo-2025-annual-meetings-302438729.html