Juvena Therapeutics has just announced that they’ve received a new grant which will fund their research of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). This was a very competitive grant which totals over 3 million dollars. The grant was awarded by the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).

12 grant application reviewers unanimously voted to award the money to Juvena, and the company is ecstatic to have secured new funding to further their research toward a treatment which could save lives.

What The Money Will be Used For

This money will advance Juvena’s lead therapeutic called JUV-161. It is a fusion protein therapy which will treat the rare, progressive, muscle wasting disease, DM1. Patients with this condition face progressive loss of mobility, decreased heart function, and decreased cognition.

They will initiate investigative new drug studies and meetings with the FDA within the next year to 16 months.

Juvena will also be applying for a Phase 2 NIH SBIR grant this year which, if awarded, will support the preclinical translation of JUV-161.

The company is also working to finance their development of this therapy for other indications.

You can read more about this grant and how the money will support research for myotonic dystrophy type 1 here.