Solid Biosciences has announced its entry into a definitive merger agreement to acquire AavantiBio, to create a genetic medicines company focused on neuromuscular and cardiac rare diseases, maintaining a strong focus on Duchenne.
In a letter to the Duchenne community, Solid said: “Upon closing of the merger, the combined company, which will operate as Solid Biosciences, will bring together exceptional scientists and life science leaders who are committed to patients with Duchenne and other, adjacent rare diseases. While Solid’s pipeline will include other neuromuscular and cardiac disease indications, we will carry forward our steadfast dedication to the Duchenne community and to advancing meaningful therapies.”
Building on Solid’s significant progress in advancing gene therapy for Duchenne, the company has also shared that it will focus on its next-generation gene therapy candidate, SGT-003, which uses a novel next-generation capsid to deliver the microdystrophin protein. Comparative analyses have demonstrated increased microdystrophin expression using the next-generation treatment, compared with the first generation candidate known as SGT-001.
The company’s IGNITE DMD clinical trial has finished enrollment and work will now pause on SGT-001, although patients will continue to be followed up several years from their initial dose.
Solid aims to begin dosing with SGT-003 in late-2023 – regulatory processes permitting.
Click here to read the letter to the community.
Click here to read the full press release regarding the intended acquisition.