Epicrispr Biotechnologies Announces $68M Series B to Advance First-in-Class FSHD Epigenetic Therapy to Clinic
Epicrispr Biotechnologies today announced the first close of its Series B financing, securing $68 million to support the clinical development of EPI-321, a first-in-class, disease-modifying therapy for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a genetic neuromuscular disease with limited treatment options.
The Series B round was led by Ally Bridge Group, with significant participation from SOLVE FSHD, the venture philanthropy organization founded by Lululemon Athletica founder and FSHD patient, Chip Wilson, along with other new and existing investors. The funding will enable Epicrispr to advance its upcoming clinical trial of EPI-321 and continue developing its broader pipeline of gene-modulating therapies.
Epicrispr also announced clinical trial application (CTA) approval from New Zealand’s Medsafe to initiate a first-in-human trial of EPI-321, the first epigenetic therapy to enter clinical testing for a neuromuscular disease. The study, expected to begin in 2025, will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacodynamics, and biological activity of a single intravenous dose of EPI-321 in adults with FSHD.
EPI-321 is an investigational one-time therapy designed to silence the DUX4 gene, which is abnormally expressed in FSHD and causes muscle degeneration. Delivered via a clinically validated AAV vector, EPI-321 has shown promising results in preclinical studies. It has received FDA Fast Track, Rare Pediatric Disease, and Orphan Drug designations.
“This financing and regulatory clearance are pivotal milestones for Epicrispr as we become a clinical-stage company focused on bringing this much-needed therapy to FSHD patients,” said Amber Salzman, Ph.D., CEO of Epicrispr Biotechnologies.
“We are proud to lead this investment in Epicrispr and support their efforts to develop this promising therapy,” added Andrew Lam, Pharm.D., Managing Director, Head of Biotech Private Equity, Ally Bridge Group.
“As someone living with FSHD, I am encouraged by Epicrispr’s commitment to finding a root-cause treatment and am glad SOLVE FSHD is supporting this effort,” said Chip Wilson, founder and Chairman of SOLVE FSHD.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250326428705/en/Epicrispr-Biotechnologies-Secures-%2468-Million-Series-B-to-Initiate-Clinical-Trial-for-First-in-Class-Disease-Modifying-Epigenetic-Neuromuscular-Therapy-for-FSHD
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