- Leveraging the FORCE Platform, DYNE-302 Achieved Robust and Durable DUX4 Suppression and Functional Benefit in FSHD Preclinical Models -

WALTHAM, Mass., June  13, 2024  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dyne Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DYN), a clinical-stage muscle disease company focused on advancing innovative life-transforming therapeutics for people living with genetically driven diseases, today highlighted new preclinical data for DYNE-302, its product candidate for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), that demonstrated robust and durable DUX4 suppression and functional benefit. The data were presented during the 31st Annual FSHD Society International Research Congress, being held June 13-14, 2024, in Denver, Colorado.

"These encouraging data demonstrate that DYNE-302 exhibited prolonged activity in preclinical FSHD models, highlighting our innovative approach to targeting the genetic cause of this devastating and progressive muscle disease with no currently approved therapies," said Oxana Beskrovnaya, Ph.D., chief scientific officer of Dyne. "Additionally, the findings presented today build on the compelling clinical data to date from our DM1 and DMD programs, underscoring the modularity of the FORCE platform to conjugate different types of oligonucleotides to target the underlying disease mechanisms. Together these results reinforce our significant opportunity to advance a broad portfolio of therapeutic candidates for muscle diseases. We look forward to progressing DYNE-302 through IND/CTA-enabling studies."

FSHD is a severe muscle disorder resulting from aberrant expression of the DUX4 gene leading to progressive wasting and skeletal muscle loss. Leveraging the FORCE platform, DYNE-302, consists of a fragment antibody (Fab) that binds to the transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) which is highly expressed on muscle, conjugated to an siRNA designed to reduce DUX4 expression.

Data presented during the congress were generated using an innovative hTfR1/iFLExD mouse model developed by Dyne that expresses the human transferrin 1 receptor (TfR1) and enables tunable DUX4 induction in skeletal muscle. In hTfR1/iFLExD mice, a single intravenous dose of DYNE-302 resulted in dose-dependent and robust reduction of the DUX4 transcriptome (D4T) that lasted up to three months, with benefit on muscle structure and function. DYNE-302 also demonstrated high in vitro potency in FSHD patient-derived myotubes.

Today's presentation entitled, "The FORCE platform achieves robust and durable DUX4 suppression and functional benefit in FSHD mouse models" will be available in the Scientific Publications & Presentations section of Dyne's website following the session at

About Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD)

FSHD is a rare, progressive, genetic disease caused by a mutation in the DUX4 gene, leading to skeletal muscle loss, muscle weakness and wasting. In healthy individuals, DUX4-driven gene expression is active for only a short time in early embryonic development. In individuals with FSHD, the DUX4 gene remains "on" long after it is supposed to be silenced. This genetic mutation leads to surplus production of the DUX4 protein, which causes the gradual destruction of muscle cells throughout the body. People living with FSHD experience weakness in all major muscle groups, including the face, as well as joint and spinal abnormalities, and often limited mobility. An estimated 16,000-38,000 individuals in the United States and approximately 35,000 in Europe are affected by FSHD, but there are currently no approved therapies.

About the FORCE Platform

The proprietary FORCE platform drives Dyne's efforts to develop targeted, modern oligonucleotide therapeutics with the potential to be life-transforming for patients with serious muscle diseases. Dyne designed the FORCE platform using its deep knowledge of muscle biology and oligonucleotide therapeutics to overcome the current limitations in delivery to muscle tissue with the goal of stopping or reversing disease progression. The FORCE platform leverages the importance of transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) in muscle biology as the foundation for its novel approach. TfR1, which is highly expressed on the surface of muscle cells, is required for iron transport into muscle cells. Dyne links therapeutic payloads to its TfR1-binding fragment antibody (Fab) to develop targeted therapeutics for muscle diseases.