SOLVE FSHD invests in Epic Bio for the development of a novel treatment for Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy

SOLVE FSHD, a venture-philanthropic organization catalyzing the pace of innovation to accelerate a cure for FSHD, announced today an investment in Epic Bio, a biotechnology company focused on the epigenome of complex diseases. Epic Bio is developing novel therapies that dynamically control gene expression to treat these diseases using compact, non-cutting dCas proteins.

This investment will support development of Epic’s lead program EPI-321, a novel therapeutic that is designed to correct the epigenetic alterations in the D4Z4 region of chromosome 4. Epic’s unique approach to correct the molecular pathology implicated in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) should lead to an effective treatment that prevents further muscle degeneration and thereby slows disease progression.

“SOLVE FSHD is very pleased to partner with Epic Bio and to add them to our diverse portfolio of companies rapidly moving forward potential therapies for FSHD,” stated Eva Chin, Executive Director of SOLVE FSHD. “SOLVE FSHD identified Epic Bio as a company committed to finding a cure for this debilitating condition and we were impressed by the unique approach that the company is taking to alter the epigenetic cause of the disease. We expect that the support from SOLVE FSHD will allow Epic Bio to rapidly progress EPI-321 into clinical trials.”

“Epic Bio welcomes the investment by SOLVE FSHD and we appreciate their important support for the future development of EPI-321,” added Amber Salzman, Chief Executive Officer of Epic Bio. “SOLVE FSHD is rapidly becoming the partner of choice for companies developing FSHD treatments, so their investment provides strong validation of the Epic Bio GEMS platform and the EPI-321 program.”

“Today we are very happy to add another company to the SOLVE FSHD portfolio,” noted Chip Wilson, founder and chairman of the Board of SOLVE FSHD. “More importantly, EPI-321 represents another potential treatment for FSHD, a devastating condition that I and many others like me suffer with every day.”