Avidity Biosciences Gets Fast Track for Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy

The FDA has granted Fast Track status to Avidity Biosciences’ AOC 1020 candidate for the treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, which affects the facial muscles and shoulders.

The drug candidate combines a monoclonal antibody with an oligonucleotide to target the DUX4 gene, an underlying cause of the disease.

AOC 1020 is currently being evaluated in a phase 1/2 clinical trial, to determine its safety and tolerability.

There are currently no FDA-approved treatments available for patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.