Ray Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing optogenetic gene therapies for vision restoration, has appointed Michael Murtagh as Chief Regulatory Officer.

With more than 20 years of experience in regulatory affairs, Murtagh has led multiple Investigational New Drug Applications (INDs), Clinical Trial Applications (CTAs) and marketing applications across a range of indications, spanning therapeutic areas including oncology, cardiovascular disease, neurology and inborn errors of metabolism.

“Michael’s strong background and wealth of knowledge across all aspects of regulatory affairs including late-stage clinical development will be instrumental for our lead candidate, RTx-015 for retinitis pigmentosa as well as our earlier-stage RTx-021 programs in Stargardt Disease and Geographic Atrophy,” said Paul Bresge, CEO & Co-Founder, Ray Therapeutics. “His appointment reflects our continued focus on building a leadership team with the expertise needed to support the development of differentiated, best-in-class optogenetic therapies for patients with vision loss.”

Experience

Murtagh brings more than two decades of experience leading global regulatory strategies across all phases of drug development, spanning multiple therapeutic modalities and disease areas.

Prior to joining Ray Therapeutics, he served as Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at AAVantgarde Bio, where he oversaw regulatory strategy. His prior experience includes senior regulatory leadership roles at Vedere Bio II, Astellas Gene Therapies (formerly Audentes Therapeutics), and BioMarin Pharmaceutical, where he helped shape regulatory strategies for innovative gene therapy and biologic programs.

“Optimized optogenetic gene therapy holds tremendous promise to improve quality of life and visual function for patients with retinal genetic diseases,” Murtagh remarked. “I am particularly excited to work with the Ray Therapeutics team to define the registrational pathway for RTx-015 in retinitis pigmentosa, with the goal of delivering safe, meaningful therapies to patients with high unmet need.”