Epicrispr Raises $68M, Starts Clinical Trial for FSHD Therapy

Epicrispr Biotechnologies has secured $68 million in Series B funding to advance its lead candidate EPI-321, an epigenetic therapy targeting facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). The funding round, led by Ally Bridge Group with participation from SOLVE FSHD, enables Epicrispr to initiate human trials in New Zealand, marking a significant step as EPI-321 is the first epigenetic treatment for a neuromuscular condition to enter clinical testing. The trial will assess safety, tolerability, and biological activity of a single dose in adults with FSHD. EPI-321 aims to silence the aberrant expression of the DUX4 gene, which contributes to muscle degeneration in FSHD. Epicrispr has also received FDA designations recognizing the therapy's potential and is expanding its team to support ongoing development. The study is expected to begin this year, with results anticipated to provide insights into the efficacy of the treatment.