Multi-Characteristic Opsin

**Multi-Characteristic Opsin (MCO)** is a proprietary, bioengineered fusion protein optogenetic therapy developed by Nanoscope Therapeutics for vision restoration in retinal degenerative diseases. It comprises mutated subunits from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Chlamydomonas noctigama, and Discosoma, featuring 14 transmembrane domains that enable ambient light activation, fast on-off kinetics, high photosensitivity, and broadband sensitivity across the visible spectrum. Delivered via AAV2 vector under a metabotropic glutamate receptor-6 (mGluR6) promoter-enhancer, MCO targets and transduces retinal bipolar cells (approximately 80% efficiency), converting them into light-sensitive cells to restore visual signaling through remaining retinal circuitry without needing photoreceptors, genetic testing, or external devices. It demonstrates disease-modifying effects by attenuating retinal degeneration, with a rolling Biologics License Application submitted to the FDA for retinitis pigmentosa.[1][3][9][10]

Other names

MCO1MCO-1MCO 1eMCO1eMCO-1eMCO 1MCO2MCO-2MCO 2