We are pleased to share that Solid Biosciences has completed its acquisition of gene therapy company AavantiBio, to create a genetic medicine company focused on neuromuscular and cardiac rare disease, with a continued, strong focus on Duchenne.
At this pivotal moment for the company, Solid co-founder Ilan Ganot has shared his thoughts in an open letter to the Duchenne community, reflecting on the incredible progress made in the Duchenne arena. He also recalls the first time he and his wife met another Duchenne parent – our Duchenne Research Fund co-founder Kerry Rosenfeld. Click here to read the letter.
The Duchenne Research Fund has been proud to be part of Solid’s journey in pioneering one of the first gene therapy programmes for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In partnership with Duchenne UK and Joining Jack we invested $5 million into the early stages of this research, which has since led to the Ignite DMD clinical trial. Data from the trial released earlier this year shows improved motor and lung function. Solid is now focusing on its next generation gene therapy candidate, SGT-003, which utilises a novel next-generation capsid to delivery the microdystrophin protein. Comparative analyses have demonstrated increased microdystrophin expression using the novel capsid.
Click here to read the full press release about Solid and AavantiBio’s merger.
Click here to read more about why we funded Solid’s gene therapy programme.