Milo Biotechnology, a Cleveland, OH-based a clinical stage startup developing a therapy to improve the quality of life of muscular dystrophy patients, has raised $250k in funding from JumpStart.
Founded by CEO Al Hawkins and Brian Kaspar, PhD, Milo is developing an adeno-associated virus (AAV) delivered follistatin protein, which stimulates muscle growth and prevention of muscle scarring after injury.
Pre-clinical studies in mice and non-human primates demonstrated considerable increases in muscle size and strength. FDA approved the investigators’ IND in October 2011 and a clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of Milo’s follistatin therapy began last month at Columbus-based Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where the technology was developed.
The Phase I/II trial, funded by a grant from Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, is enrolling patients with Becker muscular dystrophy and inclusion body myositis.
FinSMEs
16/02/2012