# Ray Therapeutics

> Ray Therapeutics is a Berkeley clinical-stage biotech developing optogenetic gene therapies for degenerative retinal disease. Its lead program, RTx-015, aims to make surviving retinal ganglion cells respond to light after photoreceptors have died; a second program, RTx-021, targets bipolar cells in macular disease. The approach is designed to work across genetic causes, but neither treatment is approved.

- **Founded:** 2021
- **Headquarters:** Berkeley, United States
- **Founders:** Paul Bresge (Co-founder and CEO)
- **Products:** RTx-015, RTx-021, Vision Research and Assessment Institute
- **Notable:** Started the ENVISION Phase 1 RTx-015 trial in 2024., Received an $8 million CIRM clinical-development grant in 2025., Received FDA RMAT designation for RTx-015 in April 2026.

## Products & services

- **RTx-015** — Investigational optogenetic gene therapy delivered by one intravitreal injection and designed to make retinal ganglion cells light-responsive in retinitis pigmentosa and choroideremia.
- **RTx-021** — Investigational optogenetic gene therapy targeting retinal ON-bipolar cells for Stargardt disease and geographic atrophy; a Phase 1/2 Stargardt study was listed in 2026.
- **Vision Research and Assessment Institute** — Testing program for standardized functional-vision endpoints in people with low vision.

## Achievements

- Started the ENVISION Phase 1 RTx-015 trial in 2024.
- Received an $8 million CIRM clinical-development grant in 2025.
- Received FDA RMAT designation for RTx-015 in April 2026.
- Received EMA PRIME designation for RTx-015 in April 2026.
- Closed a $125 million Series B in April 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — Appointed Vikas Sinha to the board and as audit committee chair.
- **2026-04** — RTx-015 received EMA PRIME designation; the company reported preliminary improvements in treated eyes across dose levels.
- **2026-04** — Closed a $125 million Series B led by Janus Henderson Investors.
- **2026-04** — RTx-015 received FDA RMAT designation.
- **2026-02** — Appointed Michael Murtagh chief regulatory officer.

## Links

- Website: https://raytherapeutics.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ray-therapeutics-inc

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ray-therapeutics
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-30