Trending...
- Resident Inspect Joins Property Meld Nexus Network with API Integration
- Spokane: SPD Air Support Unit Continues to be a Vital Tool for the Department
- Spokane: SPD SIU Unit Makes Additional Arrests on Wanted Fugitives
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
- Ashley Wineland's 'Love + Heartbreak' Tour Brings her Emotional and Empowering Album 'Wineland' to Nationwide Audiences
- Tacoma City Council Restricts Unauthorized Use of Public Property for Civil Immigration Enforcement
- Spokane Police investigate shooting in north Spokane and make an arrest
- People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos Welcomes Two New Trustees as Organization Enters 54th Year and Expands Community Reach
- Tacoma: City Manager Hyun Kim Details 'Roadmap to Recovery' Addressing the City's General Fund Deficit and Modernizing City Operations
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
- With a Dream and a Team, Monalisa Okojie Is Empowering the Next Generation Through EXPOSE NGO
- Spokane: DUI Driver Taken Into Custody After Attempting to Flee from Officers
- Tacoma Police Department to Recognize Five Tacoma Public School Employees Who Intervened in Violent Assault
- American Properties Realty, Inc. Celebrates 2026 FAME Awards - Community of the Year - Heritage at South Brunswick
- Spokane City Council Approves Activation of Public Spaces Program
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
- XMax Inc. (N A S D A Q) Accelerates AI Expansion With $4.8 Million Contracted Revenue, $30+ Million Enterprise Pipeline and Strategic SpaceX Exposure
- Lnk.Bio Becomes the First Link-in-Bio Service Fully Manageable from Inside ChatGPT
- Did Drake Just Find His Next Signee? Peoria Rapper Rhymi Gifts "ICEMANDRAKE" Domains, Drops Debut Album Same Day
- Andrew Tate Says Los Angeles Is "Where I Belong" as He Hints at USA Move
- RAS AP Consulting Advances to RFP Stage in Heidelberg Materials' SAP Vendor & Customer Master Data Modernization Initiative
- Expert E-Bike Safety Advocate Issues Urgent Warning Following Recent Southern California Fatalities
- VeneerVibe Releases 2026 Snap-On Veneers Market Report
- David Cavanagh Launches AI SEO Company For ChatGPT And AI Search Visibility
- Matthew Cossolotto Spotlights Make a Promise Day 2026 Events, Including Official Launch of Harness Your PromisePower and Issuing a "Peace Promise"
- Spokane Police are investigating a collision on West Airport Drive
- Landmark Expands Services to Include Specialized Glass and Glazing Solutions Across Los Angeles
- As Pentagon Releases Ufo Files, Debut Ya Novel Predicted It All
- RAATV Premieres Original Reality Series "The Access Index: Jackson" June, 19
- Connecticut Resident Develops Patent-Pending Concept Exploring a New Approach to GPS Navigation
- JP Events Azerbaijan to Host 2nd Women in Motorsport Event During the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Week
- Spokane: SPD Air Support Unit Continues to be a Vital Tool for the Department
- Spokane: J-Turn Project Requires Meadowlane Closure
- Resident Inspect Joins Property Meld Nexus Network with API Integration
- Tacoma: 2026 Historic Preservation Awards on May 21
- L2 Aviation Awarded IDIQ Contract by the U.S. Army for M1A2 Abrams Tank