NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CureDuchenne Ventures LLC, a company that funds research to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, announced today that they have invested $1 million in MyoTherix Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of Duchenne and other muscular dystrophies. The funds will support the Company’s preclinical studies in mouse models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy as well as preclinical development studies.
“MyoTherix’s lead research program intends to improve both cardiac and skeletal muscle function, as well as reduce inflammation and facilitate new muscle regeneration”
“We are delighted to partner with MyoTherix on this important research that addresses a new mechanism targeting both cardiac and skeletal muscle weakness in Duchenne,” said Debra Miller, president of CureDuchenne Ventures. “This research has the potential to provide new treatment options for all boys with Duchenne, regardless of their mutation.”
Duchenne is an inherited fatal disease that causes muscles to degenerate. It impacts approximately 1 in 3,500 boys. Boys with Duchenne are usually diagnosed by age 5, in a wheelchair by 12 and most don’t survive their mid-20s. Heart failure is the leading cause of death in patients with Duchenne. There is currently no approved treatment or cure for Duchenne.
“MyoTherix’s lead research program intends to improve both cardiac and skeletal muscle function, as well as reduce inflammation and facilitate new muscle regeneration,” said John Kincaid, co-Founder of MyoTherix Inc. “We are pleased to work with the team at CureDuchenne and look forward to developing this new approach to the treatment of this devastating disease.”
“CureDuchenne Ventures continues to invest in a cure for Duchenne by funding the most promising research that focuses on protein replacement, gene correction, cardiac and anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis,” said Miller. “MyoTherix is a potential treatment that could help all those with Duchenne.”
CureDuchenne Ventures LLC was formed by CureDuchenne, a national nonprofit that has funded seven research projects that have advanced to human clinical trials. CureDuchenne has leveraged $100 million in pharma and biotech research and development investments. Now three of the projects CureDuchenne supported with funding, BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Sarepta Therapeutics and PTC Therapeutics, are the closest to becoming the first drugs to be approved for the treatment of the disorder.
About CureDuchenne Ventures
CureDuchenne Ventures LLC collaborates with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to facilitate the development of drugs to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy. CureDuchenne Ventures LLC was formed by CureDuchenne, a national nonprofit that has a successful track record of supporting research and raising awareness of the disease.
About CureDuchenne
CureDuchenne was founded in 2003 with a focus on saving the lives of those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a disease that affects more than 300,000 boys worldwide. With support from CureDuchenne the FDA could approve three pharmaceutical treatments within the next year. These treatments may lessen the effects of the disease for those with certain mutations of Duchenne, but there is still much to be done to find a cure. For more information, please visit CureDuchenne.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
About MyoTherix Inc.
MyoTherix Inc. is a venture-supported biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapeutics for the treatment of muscle disorders. Its lead product opportunity utilizes an innovative and novel approach to target both cardiac and skeletal muscle weakness.
Contacts
CureDuchenne
Karen Harley, 949-872-2552
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