Trending...
- Max Tucci Makes His Highly-Anticipated Debut On QVC—unveiling A Bespoke Luxury Chocolate Collection Inspired By 100 Years Of Tucci Hospitality
- City of Tacoma Offers Virtual Workshop for Organizations New to Local Affordable Housing Development Funding Application Process
- Spokane Police Department Continues To Bolster The Neighborhood Resource Officer Program
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
- HELM Audio™ Partners with PQCrypto to Future-Proof Children's Hearing and Safety Data Using Post-Quantum Cryptography
- Wala Blegay to Announce Run for Congress in Maryland's 5th District on Feb. 4
- Luxury Lake-View Home Launches in Kissimmee's Bellalago community, Offering Privacy, Space, and Florida Resort-Style Living
- Sleep Basil Launches Revamped Diamond Mattress Collection Page, Highlighting Performance, Craftsmanship, and Personalized Comfort
- Sleep Basil Curates a Clearer Brooklyn Bedding Experience for Performance-Minded Denver Sleepers
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
- Spokane City Council Members Introduce "Immigration Enforcement Free Zones"
- Spokane: Mayor Brown Calls on Congress to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitian Community Members
- Nevada Man Launches Nationwide Animal Abuse Registry
- New Threat Management Workshop Brings Hands-On BTAM Training to Spokane Valley
- Star-powered Kappa Takeover Weekend Returns to the DMV June 18- 21, 2026, Hosted By Comedian Joe Clair W/ Dj Quick Silva (the Party Kingpin)
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
- InspireTech Global and SKADI Cyber Defense Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver Autonomous Cybersecurity to Canadian Education and Public Sector
- Kaltra Expands Microchannel Innovation to Deliver Lower Refrigerant Charge
- Georgia's Lanier Islands Resort Tees Up for a New Era of Golf in Spring 2026
- City of Tacoma Offers Virtual Workshop for Organizations New to Local Affordable Housing Development Funding Application Process
- Eagle Americas Expands Into the Western U.S. With High West Machine Tool
- Tacoma: Street Closures Projected to Start the Week of February 9 for Residential Street Restoration Program Maintenance Work
- City of Tacoma Launches Regional Driver Safety Campaign to Support Safer Streets
- Desert Mountain Club Earns Prestigious Blue Zones Approved™ Triple Designation, a New Standard for Well-Being in a Luxury Lifestyle Community
- Outsports announces record-breaking number of LGBTQ+ athletes at 2026 Milan Winter Olympics
- Sheffield Clinic Highlights Safe, Inclusive Laser Hair Removal While Improving Access
- Appliance EMT Partners with Kids Motel Ministry in Metro Atlanta
- CNCPW Divulga Dados de Liquidez do 1º Trimestre: Confirma 100% de Reservas e Atualiza Protocolos de "Saque CNCPW" Contra Fluxos Ilícitos
- Tech Workers Are Escaping "Forever Layoffs" By Becoming Their Own Boss
- Spokane: Phone Video Of Abduction/Assault Of Teen Leads To Multiple Arrests
- Spokane Receives $200,000 Grant from U.S. Conference of Mayors to Support Youth Wellness Zone
- Heritage at South Brunswick Celebrates First Home Closing and Strong Sales Momentum
- Tacoma: 'Bonding Basics' Workshop on February 19
- WinkBeds High-Performance Hybrid Mattresses Debut at Sleep Basil Denver With In-Store Comfort Testing
- Tampa Nonprofit Expands Recovery Services for Men in Crisis With New Farm Program in Plant City
- Applications for 2026-2027 Tacoma Creates Funding Now Available