Form Bio, a leader in AI-powered genetic medicine development, has announced a strategic partnership with Cure Rare Disease (CRD), a nonprofit biotechnology company focused on developing genetic therapies for rare and ultra-rare neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases. The collaboration will accelerate programs to identify and optimize multiple lead indications, beginning with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
AI-Driven Optimization Delivers Rapid Results
The partnership has already demonstrated significant success in optimizing CRD's DMD therapeutic candidate. Form Bio utilized its proprietary in silico platform, incorporating long-read sequencing, genome integrity analysis, rational design, and AI/ML models to identify critical packaging inefficiencies that could have inhibited clinical success.
Through targeted modifications to the promoter and optimization of the nuclease, Form Bio achieved a remarkable improvement in therapeutic yield. The percentage of AAV full genome increased from 13% to 59%, representing a 4.4-fold increase in therapeutic yield accomplished within just one month.
"Form Bio's expertise and technology have already delivered a measurable improvement in our DMD program, advancing it to in vivo preclinical studies with significantly greater manufacturability and efficiency," said Richard Horgan, Founder and CEO of Cure Rare Disease.
Addressing Critical Manufacturing Challenges
The collaboration addresses key factors essential for clinical success and cost reduction in gene therapy development. Form Bio will conduct AI research using its proprietary platform to support CRD in developing gene therapy drug candidates optimized for packaging, expression, safety, and manufacturability.
The program is specifically designed to streamline lead candidate selection, accelerating development timelines and advancing outcomes for patients with devastating neuromuscular diseases that currently lack treatment options. CRD initially partnered with Form Bio to improve a DMD therapeutic candidate that was not yet optimized for manufacturing or reduced immunogenicity.
Technology Platform and Capabilities
Form Bio's AI-augmented CDS optimization and smart vector genome design create measurable improvements that compound across every stage of development, from cell-based research to commercial manufacturing. By maximizing the proportion of capsids containing a full vector genome, Form Bio de-risks manufacturing for genome integrity, a critical quality attribute for regulatory approval.
The company's FORMsightAI technology simplifies genome complexity and enables balanced optimization for both expression and CpG reduction. "Our mission at Form Bio is to empower partners like Cure Rare Disease with our AI-driven insights that transform biology into engineered, programmable systems," said Michelle Chen, Ph.D., President and CEO of Form Bio.
Impact on Rare Disease Development
The partnership represents a significant advancement in addressing the urgent needs of patients with rare neuromuscular diseases. "For patients and families facing rare neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases, time is critical," emphasized Horgan. "This partnership represents a powerful example of how nonprofits and technology leaders can join forces to accelerate the development of life-changing therapies for overlooked populations."
Chen noted that by optimizing AAV vector design upfront, the collaboration can reduce time, cost, and risk across the entire gene therapy development pipeline. The partnership demonstrates how advanced computational tools and patient-focused biotech innovation can accelerate breakthroughs, reduce costs, and bring safer, more effective therapies to patients with urgent unmet needs.
