Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Epic Bio, a biotechnology company developing therapies to modulate gene expression using compact, non-cutting dCas proteins, today announced an investment by SOLVE FSHD, a venture philanthropic organization, to support Epic Bio’s program EPI-321 for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is one of the most common forms of adult muscular dystrophy, affecting 1 in 8,000 people worldwide1,2. Symptoms usually start before age 20 and may lead to patients being wheelchair-bound by age 50. There are no treatment options for FSHD, and patients manage symptoms through the use of assistive devices, physical therapy, and orthopedics.
“We are immensely grateful for the support of SOLVE FSHD for our work to develop a first-of-its-kind approach to treat FSHD by modulating gene activity. Their investment represents not just a financial contribution but also a validation of our mission and our team's dedication to curing this debilitating disease. With this investment, we are poised to partner closely with SOLVE FSHD and make meaningful strides in our pursuit to improve the lives of those affected by FSHD,” said Amber Salzman, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Epic Bio.
"We are glad to see Epic Bio’s prioritization of FSHD as their lead indication, given the urgent need for a treatment for this disease. We’ve been impressed by the vast capabilities of their Gene Expression Modulation System (GEMS), which offers the potential to suppress the pathological epigenomic events underlying FSHD. We are excited to be working with the Epic Bio team in bringing this potentially transformative treatment forward for patients," said Eva Chin, Ph.D., executive director of SOLVE FSHD.
"I am hopeful that Epic Bio's research will lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of FSHD and, ultimately, a cure. We need to keep pushing the boundaries of science and technology to find solutions for those of us living with this disease," added Chip Wilson, founder and chairman of the Board of SOLVE FSHD.
Source: globenewswire.com
