DMD exon 44

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Avidity Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: RNA), a biopharmaceutical company committed to delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics called Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Rare Pediatric Disease designation to AOC 1044, the company's investigational therapy for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in people living with mutations amenable to exon 44 skipping (DMD44). AOC 1044 is being assessed in the Phase 1/2 EXPLORE44™ trial for people living with DMD44 and is the first of multiple AOCs the company is developing for DMD. In addition to receiving Rare Pediatric Disease Designation, AOC 1044 has been granted Orphan Designation by the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and Fast Track Designation by the FDA. Continue Reading (PRNewsfoto/Avidity Biosciences, Inc.) DMD is a rare genetic condition that is characterized by progressive muscle damage and weakness due to the loss of dystrophin protein that typically starts at a very young age. Currently, there are no therapies approved targeting exon 44. "We are pleased that the FDA has granted Rare Pediatric Disease designation to AOC 1044, adding to the Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations already granted. The effects of DMD44 are devastating, with symptoms often starting in childhood. These designations by the FDA underscore the urgent need for innovative treatments and validate the potential of AOC 1044 to address the unmet need of people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy," said Steve Hughes, M.D., chief medical officer at Avidity. "We recently shared healthy volunteer data of AOC 1044 from our Phase 1/2 EXPLORE44 trial demonstrating unprecedented delivery of therapeutic oligonucleotide in skeletal muscle and consistent exon skipping in healthy volunteers, and we look forward to sharing data from that study in people living with DMD44 later this year. We remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing science and improving the lives of people and their families affected by this devastating condition." In December 2023, Avidity reported positive AOC 1044 data in healthy volunteers from the EXPLORE44 trial. AOC 1044 is designed to deliver phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMO) to skeletal muscle and heart tissue to specifically skip exon 44 of the dystrophin gene to enable dystrophin production. AOC 1044 delivered unprecedented concentrations of PMO in skeletal muscle with up to 50-times greater concentrations of PMO in skeletal muscle following a single dose compared to peptide conjugated PMOs in healthy volunteers. AOC 1044 was well tolerated, demonstrated statistically significant exon 44 skipping compared to placebo of up to 1.5% in healthy volunteers after a single dose of 10 mg/kg AOC 1044 and increased exon skipping in all participants. Avidity plans to provide a first look at AOC 1044 data in people living with DMD44 in 2H 2024. The FDA defines a "rare pediatric disease" as a serious or life-threatening disease in which the serious or life-threatening manifestations primarily affect individuals aged from birth to 18 years. Under the FDA's Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher program, a sponsor who receives an approval for a drug or biologic for a rare pediatric disease may qualify for a voucher that can be redeemed to receive a priority review of a subsequent marketing application for a different product. The EXPLORE44™ Phase 1/2 Trial of AOC 1044 The EXPLORE44 trial is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, Phase 1/2 clinical trial to evaluate AOC 1044 in healthy volunteers and participants with DMD mutations amenable to exon 44 skipping (DMD44). EXPLORE44 will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic effects of single and multiple ascending doses of AOC 1044 administered intravenously. EXPLORE44 is expected to enroll approximately 40 healthy volunteers and 24 participants with DMD44, ages seven to 27 years old. The EXPLORE44 trial will assess exon skipping and dystrophin protein levels in participants with DMD44. Participants with DMD44 will have the option to enroll into an extension study. For more information about the EXPLORE44 trial, visit the EXPLORE44 study website or visit and search for NCT05670730. About Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) causes a lack of functional dystrophin that leads to stress and tears of muscle cell membranes, resulting in muscle cell death and the progressive loss of muscle function. The dystrophin protein maintains the integrity of muscle fibers and acts as a shock absorber through its role as the foundation of a group of proteins that connects the inner and outer elements of muscle cells. People living with DMD suffer from progressive muscle weakness that typically starts at a very young age. Over time, people with Duchenne will develop problems walking and breathing, and eventually, the heart and respiratory muscles will stop working. Those living with the condition often require special aid and assistance throughout their lives and have significantly shortened life expectancy. While there are treatments approved to treat people with DMD, there remains a very high unmet need. DMD is a monogenic, X-linked, recessive disease that primarily affects males, with one in 3,500 to 5,000 boys born worldwide having Duchenne. About AOC 1044 AOC 1044 is designed to deliver phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) to skeletal muscle and heart tissue to specifically skip exon 44 of the dystrophin gene to enable dystrophin production in people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy with mutations amenable to exon 44 skipping (DMD44). DMD is characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to alterations of a protein called dystrophin that protects muscle cells from injury during contraction. AOC 1044 consists of a proprietary monoclonal antibody that binds to the transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) conjugated with a PMO targeting exon 44. AOC 1044 is currently in Phase 1/2 development as part of the EXPLORE44™ trial for the treatment of DMD mutations amenable to exon 44 skipping. Data from the Phase 1/2 EXPLORE44 trial showed that AOC 1044 delivered unprecedented concentrations of PMO in skeletal muscle with up to 50-times greater concentrations of PMO in skeletal muscle following a single dose compared to peptide conjugated PMOs in healthy volunteers. AOC 1044 was well tolerated, demonstrated statistically significant exon 44 skipping compared to placebo of up to 1.5% in healthy volunteers after a single dose of 10 mg/kg AOC 1044 and increased exon skipping in all participants. About Avidity Avidity Biosciences, Inc.'s mission is to profoundly improve people's lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics - Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™). Avidity is revolutionizing the field of RNA with its proprietary AOCs, which are designed to combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotide therapies to address targets and diseases previously unreachable with existing RNA therapies. Utilizing its proprietary AOC platform, Avidity demonstrated the first-ever successful targeted delivery of RNA into muscle and is leading the field with clinical development programs for three rare muscle diseases: myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Avidity is broadening the reach of AOCs with its advancing and expanding pipeline including programs in cardiology and immunology through internal discovery efforts and key partnerships. Avidity is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information about our AOC platform, clinical development pipeline and people, please visit and engage with us on LinkedIn and X. Forward-Looking Statements Avidity cautions readers that statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the company's current beliefs and expectations. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the anticipated timing of release of data from the EXPLORE44™ trial; the characterization of data associated with AOC 1044 in healthy volunteers; the impact of such data on the advancement of AOC 1044; the significance of designations by the FDA; the additional AOCs Avidity is developing for DMD; the design and goals of the EXPLORE44™ trial and the dosages of AOC 1044 to be administered therein; the number and type of participants to enroll in the EXPLORE44 trial; an extension study for EXPLORE44 participants; expectations related to the EXPLORE44 trial and AOC 1044; the potential of Avidity's product candidates to treat rare diseases and Avidity's efforts to bring them to people suffering from applicable diseases; and the potential of AOCs to target a range of different cells and tissues beyond the liver, and to treat cardiac and immunological diseases. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Avidity that any of these plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Avidity's business and beyond its control, including, without limitation: Avidity may not be able to resolve the partial clinical hold related to the serious adverse event which occurred in the Phase 1/2 MARINA® trial; additional data related to Avidity's current clinical programs that continues to become available may be inconsistent with the data produced as of the respective data cutoff dates, further analysis of existing data and analysis of new data may lead to conclusions different from those established as of the date hereof, and such data may not meet Avidity's expectations; unexpected adverse side effects to, or inadequate efficacy of, Avidity's product candidates that may delay or limit their development, regulatory approval and/or commercialization; Avidity's approach to the discovery and development of product candidates based on its AOC platform is unproven, and the company does not know whether it will be able to develop any products of commercial value; potential delays in the commencement, enrollment, data readouts and completion of preclinical studies or clinical trials, and the success of such studies and trials; Avidity's dependence on third parties in connection with preclinical and clinical testing and product manufacturing; Avidity may not realize the expected benefits of its collaborations; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; Avidity could exhaust its available capital resources sooner than it currently expects and fail to raise additional needed funds; and other risks described in Avidity's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and in subsequent filings with the SEC. Avidity cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investor Contact: Geoffrey Grande, CFA (619) 837-5014 [email protected] Media Contact: Navjot Rai (619) 837-5016 [email protected] SOURCE Avidity Biosciences, Inc.

AOC 1044 delivered up to 50-times greater concentrations of PMO in skeletal muscle following a single dose compared to peptide conjugated PMOs in healthy volunteers AOC 1044 was well tolerated, demonstrated statistically significant exon 44 skipping compared to placebo of up to 1.5% in healthy volunteers after a single dose of 10 mg/kg and increased exon skipping in all participantsAvidity plans to provide first look at AOC 1044 data in people living with DMD44 in 2H 2024 SAN DIEGO, Dec. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Avidity Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: RNA), a biopharmaceutical company committed to delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics called Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™), today announced positive AOC 1044 data in healthy volunteers from the Phase 1/2 EXPLORE44™ clinical trial for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy mutations amenable to exon 44 skipping (DMD44). AOC 1044 delivered unprecedented concentrations of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMO) in skeletal muscle with up to 50-times greater concentrations of PMO in skeletal muscle following a single dose compared to peptide conjugated PMOs in healthy volunteers. AOC 1044 was well tolerated, demonstrated statistically significant exon 44 skipping compared to placebo of up to 1.5% in healthy volunteers after a single dose of 10 mg/kg AOC 1044 and increased exon skipping in all participants. Avidity plans to provide a first look at AOC 1044 data in people living with DMD44 in 2H 2024. Continue Reading (PRNewsfoto/Avidity Biosciences, Inc.) AOC 1044 is designed to deliver PMO to skeletal muscle and heart tissue to specifically skip exon 44 of the dystrophin gene to enable dystrophin production. AOC 1044 has been granted Orphan Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and Fast Track Designation by the FDA. AOC 1044 is the first of multiple AOCs the company is developing for DMD. "We are excited with the early data set of AOC 1044 demonstrating unprecedented delivery of therapeutic oligonucleotide in skeletal muscle and consistent exon skipping in healthy volunteers," said Sarah Boyce, president and chief executive officer. "We are rapidly advancing AOC 1044 and look forward to sharing data in people living with DMD44 in 2024. Data from our clinical programs continue to reinforce the broad and disruptive potential of our AOC platform for the treatment of high burden muscle diseases like DMD, DM1 and FSHD." Phase 1/2 EXPLORE44 Healthy Volunteer Data AOC 1044 delivered unprecedented, dose-dependent increases in PMO concentrations in skeletal muscle following a single dose of 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg, providing up to 50-times greater concentrations of PMO in skeletal muscle when compared to a single dose of peptide conjugated PMOs in healthy volunteers. AOC 1044 produced statistically significant exon 44 skipping compared to placebo of up to 1.5% in healthy volunteers after a single dose of 10 mg/kg AOC 1044 at Day 29. AOC 1044 increased exon skipping in all participants. AOC 1044 was well tolerated in healthy volunteers. All treatment-emergent adverse events in participants dosed with AOC 1044 were mild to moderate. There were no symptomatic hemoglobin changes, no hypomagnesemia and no renal events. In addition to AOC 1044, Avidity is also advancing AOC 1001 in the MARINA open-label extension (MARINA-OLE™) study for people living with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and AOC 1020 in the Phase 1/2 FORTITUDE™ trial for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). The EXPLORE44™ Phase 1/2 Trial of AOC 1044 The EXPLORE44 trial is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, Phase 1/2 clinical trial to evaluate AOC 1044 in healthy volunteers and participants with DMD mutations amenable to exon 44 skipping (DMD44). EXPLORE44 will evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic effects of single and multiple ascending doses of AOC 1044 administered intravenously. EXPLORE44 is expected to enroll approximately 40 healthy volunteers and 24 participants with DMD44, ages seven to 27 years old. The EXPLORE44 trial will assess exon skipping and dystrophin protein levels in participants with DMD44. Participants with DMD44 will have the option to enroll into an extension study. For more information about the EXPLORE44 trial, visit the EXPLORE44 study website or visit and search for NCT05670730. About Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) causes a lack of functional dystrophin that leads to stress and tears of muscle cell membranes, resulting in muscle cell death and the progressive loss of muscle function. The dystrophin protein maintains the integrity of muscle fibers and acts as a shock absorber through its role as the foundation of a group of proteins that connects the inner and outer elements of muscle cells. People living with DMD suffer from progressive muscle weakness that typically starts at a very young age. Over time, people with Duchenne will develop problems walking and breathing, and eventually, the heart and respiratory muscles will stop working. Those living with the condition often require special aid and assistance throughout their lives and have significantly shortened life expectancy. While there are treatments approved to treat people with DMD, there remains a very high unmet need. DMD is a monogenic, X-linked, recessive disease that primarily affects males, with one in 3,500 to 5,000 boys born worldwide having Duchenne. About AOC 1044 AOC 1044 is designed to deliver phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) to skeletal muscle and heart tissue to specifically skip exon 44 of the dystrophin gene to enable dystrophin production in people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy with mutations amenable to exon 44 skipping (DMD44). DMD is characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to alterations of a protein called dystrophin that protects muscle cells from injury during contraction. AOC 1044 consists of a proprietary monoclonal antibody that binds to the transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) conjugated with a PMO targeting exon 44. In a preclinical model of DMD, a murine active AOC produced durable exon skipping and functional dystrophin protein in skeletal muscle and heart tissue following a single intravenous dose. AOC 1044 is currently in Phase 1/2 development as part of the EXPLORE44™ trial for the treatment of DMD mutations amenable to exon 44 skipping. About Avidity Avidity Biosciences, Inc.'s mission is to profoundly improve people's lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics - Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™). Avidity is revolutionizing the field of RNA with its proprietary AOCs, which are designed to combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotide therapies to address targets and diseases previously unreachable with existing RNA therapies. Utilizing its proprietary AOC platform, Avidity demonstrated the first-ever successful targeted delivery of RNA into muscle and is leading the field with clinical development programs for three rare muscle diseases: myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Avidity is broadening the reach of AOCs with its advancing and expanding pipeline including programs in cardiology and immunology through internal discovery efforts and key partnerships. Avidity is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information about our AOC platform, clinical development pipeline and people, please visit and engage with us on LinkedIn and X. Forward-Looking Statements Avidity cautions readers that statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the company's current beliefs and expectations. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the characterization of data associated with AOC 1044 in healthy volunteers; the impact of such data on the advancement of AOC 1044; the pipeline of AOCs Avidity is developing for DMD; the goals of the EXPLORE44™ trial and the dosages of AOC 1044 to be administered therein; the number and type of participants to enroll in the EXPLORE44 trial; an extension study for EXPLORE44 participants; expectations related to the EXPLORE44 trial and AOC 1044; the anticipated timing of release of data from the EXPLORE44 trial; the need for treatments for people with DMD; plans for the progression of clinical programs for AOC 1001, AOC 1044 and AOC 1020 and the timing thereof; the potential of Avidity's product candidates to treat rare diseases and Avidity's efforts to bring them to people suffering from applicable diseases; the potential of AOCs to target a range of different cells and tissues beyond the liver, and to treat cardiac and immunological diseases; Avidity's position in the RNA field; and Avidity's plans to expand its AOC platform and to invest in its pipeline programs. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Avidity that any of these plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Avidity's business and beyond its control, including, without limitation: additional healthy volunteer data related to AOC 1044 that continues to become available may be inconsistent with the data produced as of the date hereof, and further analysis of existing data and analysis of new data may lead to conclusions different from those established as of the date hereof; AOC 1044 data in people living with DMD44 may not meet Avidity's expectations; unexpected adverse side effects to, or inadequate efficacy of, Avidity's product candidates that may delay or limit their development, regulatory approval and/or commercialization, or may result in clinical holds which may not be timely lifted (if at all), recalls or product liability claims; Avidity is early in its development efforts; Avidity's approach to the discovery and development of product candidates based on its AOC platform is unproven, and the company does not know whether it will be able to develop any products of commercial value; potential delays in the commencement, enrollment, data readouts and completion of preclinical studies or clinical trials; the success of its preclinical studies and clinical trials for the company's product candidates; Avidity's dependence on third parties in connection with preclinical and clinical testing and product manufacturing; Avidity may not realize the expected benefits of its collaborations; regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; Avidity could exhaust its available capital resources sooner than it currently expects and fail to raise additional needed funds; and other risks described in Avidity's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 28, 2023, and in subsequent filings with the SEC. Avidity cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investor Contact: Geoffrey Grande, CFA (619) 837-5014 [email protected] Media Contact: Navjot Rai (619) 837-5016 [email protected] SOURCE Avidity Biosciences, Inc.

– Company completes dosing of first and second cohorts in Phase 1 clinical trial, ENTR-601-44-101 – – ENTR-601-44 clinical development program remains on track with data readout expected in second half of 2024 – – U.S. FDA clinical hold on IND application remains in effect – – Cash runway expected through 2025 – Entrada Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRDA), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company aiming to transform the lives of patients by establishing intracellular Endosomal Escape Vehicle (EEV™)-therapeutics as a new class of medicines, today announced the completion of dosing for the first and second cohorts of its Phase 1 clinical trial, ENTR-601-44-101. Entrada plans to announce data from ENTR-601-44-101 in the second half of 2024. “Our strategy has always been to run a single Phase 1 clinical trial for ENTR-601-44 and, notably, that trial is progressing in the United Kingdom. We are pleased to have completed dosing of the first and second cohorts of participants,” said Dipal Doshi, President and Chief Executive Officer at Entrada Therapeutics. “In parallel with the Phase 1 clinical trial, we continue to plan for the global development of ENTR-601-44 which will include clinical trials in patients with Duchenne who are exon 44 skipping amenable.” The primary objective of Entrada’s double-blind, single ascending dose Phase 1 clinical trial, which is expected to enroll approximately 40 participants, is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of a single dose of ENTR-601-44 in healthy male volunteers. ENTR-601-44-101 will also evaluate pharmacokinetics and target engagement, as measured by exon skipping in the skeletal muscle. Entrada was previously notified by the FDA that the IND for the Phase 1 clinical trial of ENTR-601-44 had been placed on clinical hold. Despite providing additional information to the FDA, the Company was informed that the Agency declined to lift the clinical hold. Importantly, the information that was submitted to the FDA supported the initiation of the Phase 1 clinical trial in the United Kingdom in September 2023. “We are disappointed that the U.S. clinical hold has not been lifted, especially given the strength of the data package submitted to the FDA. It’s important to emphasize that the ongoing ENTR-601-44 development program continues to progress, with ENTR-601-44-101 clinical data expected in the second half of 2024. We will re-engage the FDA to discuss next steps in due course,” concluded Mr. Doshi. ENTR-601-44, a proprietary Endosomal Escape Vehicle (EEV™)-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO), is the lead product candidate within Entrada’s Duchenne muscular dystrophy franchise from its growing pipeline of EEV-therapeutics. Each EEV-PMO therapeutic candidate has an oligonucleotide sequence designed and optimized for the specific subpopulation of interest. ENTR-601-44 is designed to address the underlying cause of Duchenne due to mutated or missing exons in the DMD gene. ENTR-601-44, an investigational therapy for the potential treatment of people living with Duchenne who are exon 44 skipping amenable, is being evaluated for its potential to restore the mRNA reading frame and allow for the translation of dystrophin protein that is slightly shortened but still functional. Entrada Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company aiming to transform the lives of patients by establishing a new class of medicines, Endosomal Escape Vehicle (EEV™)-therapeutics, to engage intracellular targets that have long been considered inaccessible and undruggable. The Company’s EEV therapeutics are designed to enable the efficient intracellular delivery of a wide range of therapeutics into a variety of organs and tissues, resulting in an improved therapeutic index. Through its proprietary, highly versatile and modular EEV platform, Entrada is building a robust development portfolio of RNA-, antibody- and enzyme-based programs for the potential treatment of neuromuscular, immunological, ocular and metabolic diseases, among others. The Company’s lead oligonucleotide programs include ENTR-601-44, ENTR-601-45 and ENTR-601-50 for the potential treatment of people living with Duchenne who are exon 44, 45 and 50 skipping amenable, respectively, as well as our partnered candidate ENTR-701 for myotonic dystrophy type 1. The content above comes from the network. if any infringement, please contact us to modify.