Trending...
- Acuvance Appoints Sandeep Sabharwal to Board of Directors, Strengthening Leadership to Support Continued Platform Growth
- Hazel E Hosts Starline Tours Bus to Sonic Desert - A Launch to Coachella
- Keenethics enters the ChatGPT Apps ecosystem as a new growth opportunity for businesses
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Myosana Therapeutics, Inc., pioneer of a muscle-specific non-viral gene therapy platform for neuromuscular and cardiac diseases, today announced the completion of a seed funding round totaling over $5 million led by investor John Ballantyne, Ph.D. The capital will go toward developing Myosana's platform with the goal of identifying the first development candidate for Duchenne muscular dystrophy by 2025.
"Built on decades of expertise in neuromuscular diseases, Myosana's muscle-specific non-viral gene therapy platform is poised to change the way patients are treated for neuromuscular and cardiac diseases," said Ballantyne, Cofounder and former longtime CSO of Biologics CDMO-Aldevron, and a Founder of therapeutic delivery system developer Agathos. "Myosana's progress building on the platform's promising in vivo data is an essential next step. I'm excited to partner with the company as it pushes ahead toward a therapy that will reach patients and improve their lives."
New investments from the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) rounded out the seed round, building on capital from original Myosana investor CureDuchenne Ventures and early investor PPMD a year later.
More on Washingtoner
Completion of this major funding round comes just as Myosana has appointed its new CEO, Dr. Matthew Lumley. A board member since 2021, Lumley is a physician scientist who has spent nearly two decades in academic medicine and drug development, cultivating expertise in translational medicine and early clinical development in complex pediatric diseases. Lumley is also the father of a son with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In his role on Myosana's Board of Directors, Lumley has been intimately involved in raising seed funding and advancing the platform.
"Dr. Ballantyne's expertise in the nucleic acid production and delivery spaces builds credibility in our approach. His investment, alongside our nonprofit partners, will go directly to platform optimization and the identification of a development candidate for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the next 18-24 months," said Lumley. "As proof of principle for the platform, success in treating Duchenne would open up opportunities for Myosana to target a large range of neuromuscular and cardiac diseases."
Alongside his role as CEO of Myosana, Lumley is a Venture Partner at Medicxi, a life sciences-focused venture capital firm where he is involved in the formation and financing of biotechnology companies across the full drug development continuum. His recent roles include Senior Director of Rare Disease Clinical Development at Moderna and Medical Director of Rare Diseases at Pfizer.
About Myosana Therapeutics
Myosana Therapeutics, Inc., has pioneered a muscle-specific non-viral gene therapy platform for neuromuscular and cardiac diseases. Based on this platform, the company is developing new gene therapies that will potentially transform progressive neuromuscular and cardiac diseases, increasing longevity and improving quality of life. Myosana's first clinical candidate from the platform will be delivery of full-length dystrophin as a therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
More on Washingtoner
Myosana's esteemed leadership team includes cofounders Stan Froehner, Ph.D., and Nick Whitehead, Ph.D., both internationally known experts in neuromuscular disease from the University of Washington, whose decades-long careers are marked by significant milestones. Dr. Froehner discovered the syntrophin proteins in muscle's dystrophin complex and developed several pre-clinical treatments for muscular dystrophy. Dr. Whitehead has uncovered mechanisms of muscle weakness in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and developed Myosana's innovative non-viral platform. The platform overcomes the significant limitations of viral vector-delivered gene therapy for muscle disease by providing targeted muscle delivery, large gene capacity, repeat dosing, and immune neutrality.
To learn more and follow Myosana's progress toward its first clinical development candidate, visit us at www.myosanatherapeutics.com.
Contacts
Kara Stephens-Weaver
407-765-1185
kara.stephens-weaver@precisionvh.com
"Built on decades of expertise in neuromuscular diseases, Myosana's muscle-specific non-viral gene therapy platform is poised to change the way patients are treated for neuromuscular and cardiac diseases," said Ballantyne, Cofounder and former longtime CSO of Biologics CDMO-Aldevron, and a Founder of therapeutic delivery system developer Agathos. "Myosana's progress building on the platform's promising in vivo data is an essential next step. I'm excited to partner with the company as it pushes ahead toward a therapy that will reach patients and improve their lives."
New investments from the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) rounded out the seed round, building on capital from original Myosana investor CureDuchenne Ventures and early investor PPMD a year later.
More on Washingtoner
- Winter Garden Ski Lake Home Sells for $2.05M in Cash Transaction, Highlighting Demand for Strategically Positioned Luxury Properties
- Strobert Tree Services' "50 Shades of Green" Campaign Encourages Arbor Day Action Across Delaware and Pennsylvania
- As Fluoride Debate Grips the Nation, Americans Turn to Whole-House Fluoride Filters for Answers
- FOCUS Hires Carrier-Side Operations Leader to Build the Next Generation of Insurance Service Delivery
- Adams Security Group LLC Launches New Website to Expand Professional Security Services Across Florida
Completion of this major funding round comes just as Myosana has appointed its new CEO, Dr. Matthew Lumley. A board member since 2021, Lumley is a physician scientist who has spent nearly two decades in academic medicine and drug development, cultivating expertise in translational medicine and early clinical development in complex pediatric diseases. Lumley is also the father of a son with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In his role on Myosana's Board of Directors, Lumley has been intimately involved in raising seed funding and advancing the platform.
"Dr. Ballantyne's expertise in the nucleic acid production and delivery spaces builds credibility in our approach. His investment, alongside our nonprofit partners, will go directly to platform optimization and the identification of a development candidate for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the next 18-24 months," said Lumley. "As proof of principle for the platform, success in treating Duchenne would open up opportunities for Myosana to target a large range of neuromuscular and cardiac diseases."
Alongside his role as CEO of Myosana, Lumley is a Venture Partner at Medicxi, a life sciences-focused venture capital firm where he is involved in the formation and financing of biotechnology companies across the full drug development continuum. His recent roles include Senior Director of Rare Disease Clinical Development at Moderna and Medical Director of Rare Diseases at Pfizer.
About Myosana Therapeutics
Myosana Therapeutics, Inc., has pioneered a muscle-specific non-viral gene therapy platform for neuromuscular and cardiac diseases. Based on this platform, the company is developing new gene therapies that will potentially transform progressive neuromuscular and cardiac diseases, increasing longevity and improving quality of life. Myosana's first clinical candidate from the platform will be delivery of full-length dystrophin as a therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
More on Washingtoner
- Presidential Acceleration of Psychedelic Therapies Enters a Defining Moment as Federal Policy, FDA Alignment & Breakthrough Neurotechnology Converge
- Peernovation And Inception Stratos Launch Joint Venture To Build A Global Peer-powered Performance Platform
- GDE Tree Services Expands Operations Across Logan, Ipswich and the Gold Coast
- UK AltNet FullFibre Solves IPv4 Shortage With netElastic BNG And CGNAT Networking Software
- Tacoma: Applicants Sought for the Equity in Contracting Advisory Committee
Myosana's esteemed leadership team includes cofounders Stan Froehner, Ph.D., and Nick Whitehead, Ph.D., both internationally known experts in neuromuscular disease from the University of Washington, whose decades-long careers are marked by significant milestones. Dr. Froehner discovered the syntrophin proteins in muscle's dystrophin complex and developed several pre-clinical treatments for muscular dystrophy. Dr. Whitehead has uncovered mechanisms of muscle weakness in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and developed Myosana's innovative non-viral platform. The platform overcomes the significant limitations of viral vector-delivered gene therapy for muscle disease by providing targeted muscle delivery, large gene capacity, repeat dosing, and immune neutrality.
To learn more and follow Myosana's progress toward its first clinical development candidate, visit us at www.myosanatherapeutics.com.
Contacts
Kara Stephens-Weaver
407-765-1185
kara.stephens-weaver@precisionvh.com
1 Comment
- unity asset store.:
Build real-time 3D projects for various industries across games, animation, automotive, architecture, and more with Unity Asset Store. Start creating with Unity today!
Latest on Washingtoner
- The Hardest Part of Building an App Isn't Starting - It's Finishing
- Uxur Taxi Unveils Luxury 3,000‑Mile Private Driver Service for Nationwide Travel
- Tacoma: Statement from District 4 Council Member Sandesh Sadalge on the Critical Importance of Centering Equity in Regional Transit Decisions
- Seattle Filmmaker Maikaru Launches Mainasty Press with Ambitious "21 Novels in 21 Months" Initiative
- Tacoma: Street Closure Projected to Start the Week of April 20 for Residential Street Restoration Program Maintenance Work
- Colorfront Launches New Mac App For Creating Apple Immersive Video
- Michele Mundy's "Divinely Tailored" Gains Momentum
- Evermore Bliss Launches AI Wedding Speech Writer to Help Users Create Personalized, Heartfelt Toasts
- Keenethics enters the ChatGPT Apps ecosystem as a new growth opportunity for businesses
- Spring Into Your New Home at Heritage at South Brunswick
- UK Financial Ltd Launches UKFL Premier One as Its Official Broadcast Channel for Premium Content, Podcasts & Independent Expert Analysis
- The Great Junk Hunt Returns to Its Roots in Puyallup
- Mayor Anders Ibsen and Council Member Kristina Walker Urge Tacoma Residents to Participate in Sound Transit's Public Survey
- HarryPotterObamaSonic10Inu (Ticker: BITCOIN) Is the Best Cryptocurrency in Global History
- Dual-Engine Growth Strategy Unleashed Targeting a $9.1B Market and the Exploding AI Biotech Revolution: KALA BIO (N A S D A Q: KALA)
- GitKraken Desktop 12.0 Introduces Agent Mode: Gives Developers Ultimate Control & Visualization While Scaling Parallel Agent Workflows
- 5 Things to Check Before Calling for AC Repair in Philly
- Go Dental Clinic Announces Upcoming Opening of New Branch in International City, Dubai
- Hazel E Hosts Starline Tours Bus to Sonic Desert - A Launch to Coachella
- City Seeks Community Members Interested in Preparing Statements 'For' and 'Against' Proposition 1, the 'Connect Tacoma: Safe Streets and Sidewalks' Ballot Measure