Le Lézard
Classified in: Health, Science and technology, Business
Subjects: NPT, VEN

CureDuchenne Commits $1 Million to Gennao Bio to Accelerate Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Rare Muscle Disease Research


NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Dec. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CureDuchenne Ventures, a subsidiary of CureDuchenne, a leading global nonprofit focused on finding and funding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, announces a $1 million investment in Gennao Bio. CureDuchenne's commitment is a part of Gennao Bio's Series A extension to help the company apply their gene monoclonal antibody (GMAB) platform technology to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and other rare muscle diseases.

"We are honored to partner with Gennao Bio and leverage their innovative technology toward a potential cure for Duchenne and other rare muscle diseases," said Debra Miller, president of CureDuchenne Ventures and founder and chief executive officer of CureDuchenne. "Through CureDuchenne Ventures, it is our mission to help accelerate scientific breakthroughs and this investment represents the next generation of potentially groundbreaking research to put an end to this devastating disease."

Gennao's GMAB platform technology can be used to efficiently deliver a broad range of nucleic acid payloads, including mRNA, DNA, siRNA and ASOs. The technology targets the nucleoside transporter ENT2, which is highly expressed on skeletal muscle cells thereby allowing for systemic administration and targeted delivery.

This non-viral delivery platform has the potential to overcome limitations of traditional gene delivery systems as it avoids issues with pre-existing antibodies and size limitations of viruses, allows for repeat dosing, and employs well-established manufacturing processes. Gennao Bio is developing this delivery system with an initial focus on addressing significant unmet needs in oncology, and now with this investment, a significant focus on rare muscle diseases, including DMD. 

"We are honored to have a partnership and the support of CureDuchenne Ventures as we look to expand the research and development of our GMAB platform into rare skeletal muscle disease, including in DMD," said Stephen Squinto, Ph.D., chief executive officer and chair of the board of Gennao Bio.

CureDuchenne Ventures is the investment arm of CureDuchenne, which deploys donor dollars to fund Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatments with the goal of funding cures for the entire Duchenne community. CureDuchenne's robust pipeline of therapies comes from a diverse array of cutting-edge technologies used to treat all aspects of Duchenne. A successful investment made by CureDuchenne Ventures is a success for the entire Duchenne community, with 90 percent of earnings re-invested back into Duchenne research to further the goal of a cure. For more information on CureDuchenne Ventures, please visit CureDuchenne.org/ventures.

About CureDuchenne
CureDuchenne is recognized as a global leader in research, patient care and innovation for improving and extending the lives of those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.  As the leading genetic killer of young boys, Duchenne affects more than 300,000 individuals living today. CureDuchenne is dedicated to finding and funding a cure for Duchenne by breaking the traditional charitable mold through an innovative venture philanthropy model that funds groundbreaking research, early diagnosis, and community education. For more information on how to help raise awareness and funds needed for research, please visit www.cureduchenne.org.  

About Gennao Bio
Gennao Bio is a privately held genetic medicines company developing first-in-class targeted nucleic acid therapeutics utilizing a proprietary gene monoclonal antibody (GMAB) platform technology. GMAB is an adaptive technology that uses a cell-penetrating antibody to non-covalently bind to and deliver therapeutic levels of a wide variety of nucleic acid payloads to select cells. This non-viral delivery platform is differentiated from traditional gene delivery systems as it can deliver multiple types of nucleic acids, allows for repeat dosing and employs well-established manufacturing processes. Gennao Bio is developing this delivery system with an initial focus in oncology and rare monogenic skeletal muscle diseases.

SOURCE CureDuchenne


These press releases may also interest you

at 17:30
TuanChe Limited ("TuanChe" or the "Company") , a leading integrated automotive marketplace in China, today announced that it filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 with the Securities and Exchange Commission...

at 17:30
Chesswood Group Limited ("Chesswood") , a specialty finance company with 40 years of experience in the commercial equipment finance market, today announces an update on its review of strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, previously...

at 17:30
The federal government will make a housing announcement in Watson Lake. Media are invited to join Brendan Hanley, Member of...

at 17:28
The Editorial Advisory and Securities Review Committee of BetterInvesting Magazine today announced Paychex Inc.  as its "Stock to Study" and Pfizer Inc.  as its "Undervalued Stock" in the June/July 2024 issue for investors' informational and...

at 17:26
NaaS Technology, the first U.S. listed EV charging service company in China, announced remarkable financial growth and operational highlights in its newly-released unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31,...

at 17:25
Five years after the transformational Merger with Randgold Resources, Barrick Gold Corporation has been restructured and repurposed as a modern mining business with a constantly replenished, global asset base of peerless quality, managed by a team...



News published on and distributed by: