Latest news with #ArmatusBio
Business Wire
12-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Armatus Bio Selected as Finalist for XPRIZE Healthspan FSHD Bonus Prize
COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Armatus Bio, a late-preclinical stage biotech innovator developing vectorized RNAi medicines in neuromuscular disorders, today announced its recognition as one of eight finalists in the XPRIZE Healthspan FSHD Bonus Prize, led by XPRIZE, the world's leader in designing and operating large-scale incentive competitions to solve humanity's grand challenges. 'We applaud XPRIZE and SOLVE FSHD for their visionary leadership to champion innovative new ideas that carry the potential to dramatically impact care." - Rachel Salzman, DVM, Armatus CEO Share SOLVE FSHD, a venture philanthropy organization dedicated to catalyzing innovation and overcoming barriers to accelerate new therapies for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), is a co-sponsor of XPRIZE Healthspan and funder of the FSHD Bonus Prize, which is being run in parallel with the XPRIZE Healthspan. 'The XPRIZE Healthspan FSHD Bonus Prize is designed to solicit bold solutions intended to deliver measurable improvements in muscle function and biomarkers of FSHD disease progression in individuals affected by FSHD,' said Eva Chin, PhD, Executive Director of SOLVE FSHD. 'Armatus' drug candidate, ARM-201, represents a highly promising strategy that addresses the underlying genetic defect that causes FSHD. Furthermore, Armatus has devised a clear roadmap for bringing this experimental therapeutic into human clinical trials to demonstrate its ability to transform outcomes for this population.' ARM-201 is a vectorized microRNA engineered with a second-generation myotropic capsid that has been designed to effectively, safely, and durably silence toxic DUX4 expression. Preclinical evaluations have generated multiple datasets that strongly support continued pursuit of the vectorized RNAi strategy, including improvements in FSHD-linked biomarkers and motor function. 'Recognition as a finalist in this highly competitive forum is a reflection of the promise, hard work, and rigor embedded within our scientific strategy for ARM-201, which originated in the Harper Lab at Nationwide Children's Hospital,' said Rachel Salzman, DVM, Chief Executive Officer of Armatus Bio. 'We applaud XPRIZE and SOLVE FSHD for their visionary leadership to champion innovative new ideas that carry the potential to dramatically impact care.' The $101 million XPRIZE Healthspan is a 7-year global competition to catalyze the development of proactive, accessible therapeutic solutions that restore muscle, cognition, and immune function by a minimum of 10 years, with an ambitious goal of 20 years, in persons aged 50-80 years, in one year or less. Read more at About Armatus Armatus Bio is a late-preclinical stage, privately held biotech innovator developing advanced medicines that leverage vectorized RNAi. RNAi is a well-validated therapeutic approach that modifies protein expression via innate cellular biogenesis pathways without altering the cell's genetic make-up. The company is advancing two assets addressing urgent unmet needs in neuromuscular disorders: TVR110 for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A), and ARM-201 for Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD). In preclinical studies, these investigational drugs demonstrated robust early signals of precision target engagement and biomarker improvement, and both are now advancing toward preparations for clinical trials. For more information, visit
Business Wire
06-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
SOLVE FSHD Announces $3 Million Investment in Armatus Bio to Advance Gene Therapy Program for FSHD
VANCOUVER, British Columbia & COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SOLVE FSHD, a venture philanthropy organization committed to accelerating therapies for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), today announced a $3 million investment in Armatus Bio, a biotechnology company developing next-generation vectorized RNAi therapeutics for neuromuscular diseases. The investment will support ARM-201, Armatus Bio's AAV-delivered microRNA therapy designed to silence the expression of DUX4, the toxic protein responsible for muscle degeneration in individuals with FSHD. The investment is part of SOLVE FSHD's growing portfolio of therapeutic programs aimed at addressing FSHD through a range of innovative approaches. The investment is part of SOLVE FSHD's growing portfolio of therapeutic programs aimed at addressing FSHD through a range of innovative approaches. ARM-201 is a potential best-in-class, single-dose therapeutic for the treatment of FSHD. Its proprietary miRNA payload is designed to reduce DUX4 expression and thereby arrest muscle weakening and atrophy, prevent further degeneration, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress associated with the disease. ARM-201 incorporates AAV-SLB101, a next-generation AAV capsid licensed from Solid Biosciences, which was rationally designed to target integrin receptors and has shown enhanced skeletal and cardiac muscle transduction, with decreased liver exposure in preclinical studies. It has also been shown to be well tolerated with robust transduction and expression levels seen in a clinical trial for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. With a pre-IND meeting successfully completed with the FDA, Armatus Bio will deploy SOLVE FSHD's investment towards critical IND-enabling activities, positioning ARM-201 for regulatory submission and entry into FSHD clinical trials. 'We're thrilled to support Armatus Bio in advancing a differentiated therapeutic approach that directly targets the genetic cause of FSHD,' said Eva Chin, PhD, Executive Director of SOLVE FSHD. 'This program represents an important step toward delivering meaningful treatments to the FSHD community. We believe Armatus has a strong scientific foundation, experienced leadership, and a focused development strategy that position them well for clinical and commercial success.' 'SOLVE FSHD's focused commitment to advancing therapeutic development for FSHD, combined with their collaborative approach and scientific expertise, has made them an invaluable partner for Armatus,' said Rachel Salzman, DVM, CEO of Armatus Bio. 'This investment provides critical resources to advance ARM-201 toward the clinic and positions us for continued growth as a company. We're excited to take this next step together and accelerate the path toward a much-needed therapy for the FSHD community.' FSHD is one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy, affecting approximately 1 in 8,000 individuals globally. With no approved treatments available, advancing promising therapies is critical to meeting the urgent needs of the FSHD community. About SOLVE FSHD SOLVE FSHD is a venture philanthropic organization established to catalyze innovation and accelerate key research in finding a cure for FSHD. Established by renowned Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Chip Wilson, widely known as the founder and part owner of various technical apparel companies including lululemon and Amer Sports. The Wilson family has committed $100 million to kick-start funding into projects that support the organization's mission to solve FSHD by 2027. The goal of SOLVE FSHD is to find a solution that can slow down or stop muscle degeneration, increase muscle regeneration and strength, and improve the quality of life for those living with FSHD. About Armatus Bio Armatus Bio is a privately held late preclinical stage biotechnology company leveraging vectorized RNAi to address urgent unmet medical needs in genetically-driven neurological diseases. Based in Columbus, Ohio, the company is led by a seasoned team with expertise in drug development and delivery, and partnered with world renowned experts in vector biology, genomics, and neurology. In addition to ARM-201, Armatus is building a pipeline of precision medicines that can transform care for people with other genetic neuromuscular disorders.
National Post
06-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
SOLVE FSHD Announces $3 Million Investment in Armatus Bio to Advance Gene Therapy Program for FSHD
Article content VANCOUVER, British Columbia & COLUMBUS, Ohio — SOLVE FSHD, a venture philanthropy organization committed to accelerating therapies for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), today announced a $3 million investment in Armatus Bio, a biotechnology company developing next-generation vectorized RNAi therapeutics for neuromuscular diseases. The investment will support ARM-201, Armatus Bio's AAV-delivered microRNA therapy designed to silence the expression of DUX4, the toxic protein responsible for muscle degeneration in individuals with FSHD. Article content Article content The investment is part of SOLVE FSHD's growing portfolio of therapeutic programs aimed at addressing FSHD through a range of innovative approaches. ARM-201 is a potential best-in-class, single-dose therapeutic for the treatment of FSHD. Its proprietary miRNA payload is designed to reduce DUX4 expression and thereby arrest muscle weakening and atrophy, prevent further degeneration, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress associated with the disease. Article content ARM-201 incorporates AAV-SLB101, a next-generation AAV capsid licensed from Solid Biosciences, which was rationally designed to target integrin receptors and has shown enhanced skeletal and cardiac muscle transduction, with decreased liver exposure in preclinical studies. It has also been shown to be well tolerated with robust transduction and expression levels seen in a clinical trial for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. With a pre-IND meeting successfully completed with the FDA, Armatus Bio will deploy SOLVE FSHD's investment towards critical IND-enabling activities, positioning ARM-201 for regulatory submission and entry into FSHD clinical trials. 'We're thrilled to support Armatus Bio in advancing a differentiated therapeutic approach that directly targets the genetic cause of FSHD,' said Eva Chin, PhD, Executive Director of SOLVE FSHD. 'This program represents an important step toward delivering meaningful treatments to the FSHD community. We believe Armatus has a strong scientific foundation, experienced leadership, and a focused development strategy that position them well for clinical and commercial success.' Article content 'SOLVE FSHD's focused commitment to advancing therapeutic development for FSHD, combined with their collaborative approach and scientific expertise, has made them an invaluable partner for Armatus,' said Rachel Salzman, DVM, CEO of Armatus Bio. 'This investment provides critical resources to advance ARM-201 toward the clinic and positions us for continued growth as a company. We're excited to take this next step together and accelerate the path toward a much-needed therapy for the FSHD community.' Article content FSHD is one of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy, affecting approximately 1 in 8,000 individuals globally. With no approved treatments available, advancing promising therapies is critical to meeting the urgent needs of the FSHD community. Article content About SOLVE FSHD SOLVE FSHD is a venture philanthropic organization established to catalyze innovation and accelerate key research in finding a cure for FSHD. Established by renowned Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Chip Wilson, widely known as the founder and part owner of various technical apparel companies including lululemon and Amer Sports. The Wilson family has committed $100 million to kick-start funding into projects that support the organization's mission to solve FSHD by 2027. The goal of SOLVE FSHD is to find a solution that can slow down or stop muscle degeneration, increase muscle regeneration and strength, and improve the quality of life for those living with FSHD. Article content About Armatus Bio Armatus Bio is a privately held late preclinical stage biotechnology company leveraging vectorized RNAi to address urgent unmet medical needs in genetically-driven neurological diseases. Based in Columbus, Ohio, the company is led by a seasoned team with expertise in drug development and delivery, and partnered with world renowned experts in vector biology, genomics, and neurology. In addition to ARM-201, Armatus is building a pipeline of precision medicines that can transform care for people with other genetic neuromuscular disorders. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Contacts: SOLVE FSHD: Andrea Mestrovic Very Polite Agency andrea@ Article content Article content Article content
