SOLVE FSHD, a venture philanthropy organization, and Modalis Therapeutics Corporation have announced a strategic collaboration to develop an innovative CRISPR-based epigenome editing treatment for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a debilitating muscular disorder affecting approximately 1 million individuals worldwide.
The partnership will focus on advancing Modalis's MDL-103 program, which leverages the company's proprietary CRISPR-GNDM® (Guide Nucleotide-Directed Modulation) technology to continuously suppress expression of the DUX4 gene, the toxic disease-causing gene for FSHD. Unlike traditional CRISPR approaches, this technology can dynamically modulate gene expression without introducing double-strand DNA breaks.
Novel Therapeutic Approach
MDL-103 represents a breakthrough approach to treating FSHD by targeting the epigenetic root cause of the disease. The DUX4 gene becomes abnormally activated due to epigenetic changes in the D4Z4 repeat region on chromosome 4. The therapeutic candidate is designed to have durable activity over long periods under the control of a strong, muscle-specific promoter and is delivered to muscles using a muscle-tropic AAV delivery system.
"We were impressed by their unique approach to targeting the epigenetic cause of FSHD, using a platform technology that has shown promise in other neuromuscular diseases," stated Eva Chin, Executive Director of SOLVE FSHD. "We believe that the support from SOLVE FSHD will allow Modalis to accelerate the advancement of MDL-103 into clinical trials."
Preclinical Progress
Modalis has demonstrated promising preclinical results with their CRISPR-GNDM® technology platform. According to CEO Haru Morita, the company has shown "promising long-term drug efficacy in mouse models, shown durable target engagement and safety in non-human primates, and exhibited excellent biodistribution in neuromuscular disorders."
The collaboration represents a strong validation of Modalis's approach, with SOLVE FSHD providing strategic funding to support the development program. SOLVE FSHD identified Modalis as a company committed to finding a cure for the debilitating condition and added them to their diverse portfolio of collaborators advancing potential FSHD therapies.
Strategic Partnership Impact
"This strategic collaboration is a strong validation of Modalis's CRISPR-GNDM® technology and our MDL-103 program," said Morita. "We believe that MDL-103, which incorporates CRISPR-GNDM® technology with a muscle tropic AAV delivery system, has significant potential as a breakthrough treatment for FSHD."
The partnership aligns with SOLVE FSHD's mission to solve FSHD by 2027, backed by a $100 million commitment from the Wilson family. The organization was established by Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist Chip Wilson to catalyze innovation and accelerate key research in finding a cure for FSHD.
Modalis, founded in 2016 with research and development activities in Massachusetts, positions itself as a pioneering leader in epigenetic medicine, developing therapeutics for patients suffering from serious genetic disorders including neuromuscular diseases, CNS diseases, and cardiomyopathies.
