Solid Biosciences Inc. announced a non-exclusive worldwide license and collaboration agreement with Armatus Bio for the use of Solid's proprietary capsid AAV-SLB101 for the development and commercialization of Armatus' vectorized RNAi candidate to treat Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). The AAV-SLB101 capsid has been shown in preclinical studies to have enhanced biodistribution and improved expression in muscle cells. Under the terms of the agreement, Solid granted Armatus a non-exclusive worldwide license to utilize AAV-SLB101for treatment of FSHD and will provide Armatus AAV-SLB101 plasmid material, preclinical data characterizing AAV-SLB101, and manufacturing and regulatory know-how to enable development.

In return, Solid will receive an upfront payment, payments upon the achievement of certain development and sales milestones, and tiered royalties on net sales for any products incorporating AAV-SLB101. Armatus will be responsible for the development and commercialization the licensed products incorporating AAV-SL B101. Armatus is developing ARM-201, a potential best-in-class, single dose therapeutic used for the treatment of FSHD, a progressive genetic neuromuscular disorder caused by DUX4 overexpression.

ARM-201's proprietary miRNA payload seeks to reduce DUX4, and thus arrest muscle strengthening and atrophy, prevent further degeneration, and amiorate the amount of inflammation and oxidative stress caused by FSHD.