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§ Private Profile · Ann Arbor, MI, USA
RetroSense Therapeutics is a company.
RetroSense Therapeutics has raised $12.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Key people at RetroSense Therapeutics.
RetroSense Therapeutics has raised $12.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
RetroSense Therapeutics develops innovative gene therapies designed to restore vision for patients suffering from blindness. Its core product, RST-001, is a first-in-class optogenetic gene therapy that imparts light sensitivity to remaining cells in the retina. This approach enables light perception and functional vision in individuals with various retinal degenerative diseases.
RetroSense Therapeutics originates from its founding in 2009 by Sean Ainsworth. The company's inception is rooted in the scientific insights of Dr. Zhuo-Hua Pan, a distinguished professor at Wayne State University, whose research explores the application of optogenetics to vision restoration. Ainsworth leverages this foundational science to establish a biotechnology company focused on translating laboratory discoveries into clinical treatments for retinal blindness.
The therapy targets patients experiencing severe vision loss or blindness due to conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa, where the light-sensing photoreceptors have degenerated. RetroSense Therapeutics envisions a future where individuals with previously untreatable forms of inherited blindness regain meaningful visual function through targeted gene therapy, significantly improving their quality of life.
Key people at RetroSense Therapeutics.
RetroSense Therapeutics has raised $12.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $6.0M Series B in November 2015.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 12, 2015 | $6M Series B | — | Blue Water Angels, ExSight Ventures, Dmitry Kuzmin, Santen Pharmaceutical | Announced |
| Jan 8, 2015 | $6M Series A | — | KEN Kousky, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Nerveda, SDL Ventures, Tech Coast Angels | Announced |
RetroSense Therapeutics has raised $12.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
RetroSense Therapeutics's investors include Blue Water Angels, ExSight Ventures, Dmitry Kuzmin, Santen Pharmaceutical, Ken Kousky, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Nerveda, SDL Ventures, Tech Coast Angels.
RetroSense Therapeutics is a clinical‑stage biotech company that developed optogenetic gene therapies to restore vision in retinal degenerative diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and was acquired by Allergan in a deal announced in 2016 (reported upfront consideration $60M with additional milestone payments). [1][5]
High‑Level Overview
Origin Story
Core Differentiators
Role in the Broader Tech / Biotech Landscape
Quick Take & Future Outlook
If you want, I can: (a) compile a concise timeline of RetroSense’s clinical milestones and the Allergan deal with cited dates; (b) summarize competitive approaches in retinal gene therapy (e.g., gene augmentation, optogenetics, prosthetics) with pros/cons; or (c) pull the latest clinical‑trial status updates from registries and company releases.