Trending...
- Tacoma: Lincoln Avenue Bridge to Close Saturday, April 18 for Asphalt Repairs
- Su Che Publishing Announces New Children's Book Celebrating Vaisakhi Festival
- Permian Museum Adds Photos of Fossils Discovered on a Meteorite
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
- City Seeks Community Members Interested in Preparing Statements 'For' and 'Against' Proposition 1, the 'Connect Tacoma: Safe Streets and Sidewalks' Ballot Measure
- Contracting Resources Group and Aalis Management Consulting Launch ARG Joint Venture Under SBA Mentor-Protégé Program
- Card makers turn to Pink and Main for tools to support their craft
- Revenue Optics Completes Full Commercial Buildout. A Nine-Month-Old Firm Built on 25 Years of Distribution Expertise. Five Clients From $200M to $3B
- EduCare Inc. Bridges Critical Gap in Breast Cancer Education with Spanish COPE Library Launch
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
- Engineering leaders from industry, academia to gather at IISE Annual Conference & Expo in Arlington, Texas
- AI-Driven Neurotechnology Expansion as FDA Path Clears and New Defense Initiative Emerges for NRx Pharmaceuticals (N A S D A Q: NRXP)
- BestDoc Launches AI Call Center for Healthcare
- Acuvance Appoints Sandeep Sabharwal to Board of Directors, Strengthening Leadership to Support Continued Platform Growth
- Grange Insurance Association to Rebrand as Granwest Insurance on July 1, 2026
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
- InterMountain Management Announces the Re-opening of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Alexandria
- City Council to Discuss 'Connect Tacoma' Transportation Levy Replacement at April 14 Study Session
- CB Stuffer Expands New England Footprint with Launch at Common Man Roadside in Hooksett, NH
- Contracting Resources Group Named to the 2026 Inc. Regionals: Mid-Atlantic List
- Dividend Stock Guru Unveils High Yield Dividend Stock Research Reports
- Charging Into the $30 Billion Heart Failure Market with Late-Stage Momentum, Breakthrough Data, & Strong Financial Backing: Cardiol Therapeutics $CRDL
- All American Home Renovators: Transforming Bathrooms into Masterpieces, One Home at a Time
- Bold Beauty Project Celebrates Anniversary with Collaborative Exhibition at FIU's Miami Beach Urban Studios
- Pacific Emblem Company Launches "Happy 250th Birthday America" Collection and Proud Supporter of the Gary Sinise Foundation
- Vangal Invests $8.5M in Peridot, Expanding into Enterprise AI Governance and Shadow AI Control
- Bold Beauty Project Announces Exhibition at Palazzo Mora Venice, Italy
- Financial Educator Jessica Perrone Launches Free "3 Stages of Building Wealth" Course for Women
- Captain Notepad Expands Free Custom Design Services Across Full Product Line
- Sycor Introduces Spring Release 2026 of Sycor.Rental with AI-Driven Innovations and Enhanced Service Processes
- YOKE Expands NIL Club Into Athlete-Led Commerce With Athlete Merch Launch
- Floor Kings Announces Official Launch of Premier Epoxy Flooring Services Across Arizona
- UK Buyers Purchase Luxury Home in Keene's Pointe, Windermere (Orlando, Florida)
- Instant IP Launches Rapid Takedown Service to Combat IP Theft, Deepfakes, and Copycat Websites
- Tacoma: Lincoln Avenue Bridge to Close Saturday, April 18 for Asphalt Repairs
- City of Tacoma Invites Community to Shape the Future of Their Neighborhoods at Upcoming Code Update Event