SOLVE FSHD Announces $3M Investment in Armatus Bio
Deal News | May 06, 2025 | CincyTech LLC
SOLVE FSHD, a venture philanthropy committed to innovating therapies for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), has invested $3 million in Armatus Bio to advance the development of their gene therapy program, ARM-201. This financial backing will aid in the creation of a potential one-time therapeutic that uses microRNA technology to silence DUX4, a detrimental protein implicated in FSHD-related muscular degeneration. ARM-201's original miRNA payload is anticipated to help avert further muscle atrophy and inflammation. The investment supports Armatus Bio's efforts to complete IND-enabling activities and prepare for clinical trials. SOLVE FSHD acknowledges Armatus Bio's solid scientific know-how, established leadership, and detailed development strategy well-suited for success. Such collaborations align with SOLVE FSHD's pursuit to address unmet needs in FSHD treatment and reflect the organization’s strategic commitment to expedite the delivery of effective therapies to the afflicted community by 2027. Founded by entrepreneur Chip Wilson, the organization is significantly funded by his family's $100 million investment aimed at combatting FSHD.
Sectors
- Biotechnology
- Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
- Venture Philanthropy
Geography
- United States – Armatus Bio is based in Columbus, Ohio, and is the main recipient of the investment.
- Canada – SOLVE FSHD is established by Canadian entrepreneur Chip Wilson and operates out of both Vancouver and Columbus.
Industry
- Biotechnology – The focus is on biotechnology, specifically the development of RNAi vectorized therapeutics for neuromuscular diseases like FSHD.
- Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals – Armatus Bio's initiative to develop therapies for FSHD places this within the healthcare and pharmaceuticals industry.
- Venture Philanthropy – SOLVE FSHD operates as a venture philanthropy organization aiming to fund novel solutions for FSHD.
Financials
- $3 Million – Amount invested by SOLVE FSHD in Armatus Bio's gene therapy program.
- $100 Million – Funding committed by Chip Wilson to support SOLVE FSHD’s mission.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOLVE FSHD | Investor | Company | A venture philanthropy organization funding and accelerating research for FSHD therapies. |
| Armatus Bio | Target Company | Company | A biotech firm working on RNAi therapeutics for neuromuscular diseases, including FSHD. |
| Chip Wilson | Founder | Person | Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist, founder of SOLVE FSHD. |
| Eva Chin, PhD | Executive Director | Person | Executive Director of SOLVE FSHD. |
| Rachel Salzman, DVM | CEO | Person | CEO of Armatus Bio. |
| Solid Biosciences | Licensor | Company | Provided the AAV capsid technology for Armatus Bio's RNA therapy. |