Solid Biosciences Doses First Participant in First-in-Class Phase 1b FALCON Trial Evaluating SGT-212 Dual-Route Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Friedreich's Ataxia
CHARLESTOWN, Mass., Jan. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solid Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ:SLDB) (the "Company" or "Solid"), a life sciences company developing precision genetic medicines for neuromuscular and cardiac diseases, today announced that the first participant has been dosed in FALCON, the Company's Phase 1b, first-in-human clinical trial evaluating SGT-212, its investigational gene therapy for the treatment of Friedreich's ataxia (FA).
SGT-212 is a first-in-class investigational gene therapy for the treatment of FA that employs a dual-route administration designed to target the neurologic, cardiac and systemic manifestations of the disease, which are key drivers of morbidity and mortality seen in FA. SGT-212 is delivered through a precise, stereotactic, MRI-guided intradentate nuclei (IDN) infusion to the cerebellar dentate nuclei followed by an intravenous (IV) infusion, with the goal of restoring therapeutic levels of frataxin.
Gabriel Brooks, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Solid Biosciences, commented: "Dosing our first participant in this first-in-human Friedreich's ataxia trial is a momentous achievement for the FA community and for Solid Biosciences. We believe our novel, real-time, MRI-guided stereotactic delivery approach is one that truly embodies the promise of precision genetic medicine. We are ecstatic to report that intra-procedural MRI-imaging confirmed intradentate nuclei targeting and coverage that surpassed our expectations as well as thresholds we believe are necessary for a potential treatment effect. While these are early, single-participant observations, they strengthen our confidence in our targeted strategy and underscore our commitment to advancing paradigm-transforming treatments. We look forward to sharing preliminary safety insights in the coming months and expect to share an initial data update in the second half of 2026, subject to participant enrollment."
Bo Cumbo, President & CEO of Solid Biosciences, commented: "Initiating dosing in the FALCON trial represents the culmination of years of dedicated work towards moving the needle for the FA community. By aiming to precisely target the key structures responsible for neurologic morbidity and cardiac manifestations, we intend to address both quality-of-life and mortality drivers in this devastating disease, a key differentiation of SGT-212 when compared to potential alternatives. The dual-route administration strategy employed by SGT-212 exemplifies Solid's mission to be bold in our vision, audacious in our science and steadfast in our commitment to bringing potentially life-changing medicines to patients."
About the FALCON Trial
FALCON is a first-in-human, open-label, multi-center Phase 1b clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of SGT-212 in participants aged 18-40 who have been diagnosed with FA and cardiac hypertrophy. FALCON is being conducted in the United States.
About SGT-212
SGT-212 is a recombinant AAV-based gene replacement therapy for Friedreich's ataxia (FA) designed to deliver full-length human frataxin (FXN) via a dual route of administration: intradentate nucleus (IDN) infusion, using an FDA-approved neurosurgical device in a stereotactic, precision MRI-guided technique, followed by an intravenous (IV) infusion, with the intent to increase therapeutic FXN levels in the cerebellar dentate nuclei, cardiomyocytes and other systemic tissues. Targeted delivery to the dentate nuclei will be confirmed in real time via MRI. Restoration of FXN levels is expected to repair the underlying mitochondrial dysfunction in neurons and cardiomyocytes to address neurologic, cardiac and systemic manifestations of the disease.
About Friedreich's Ataxia (FA)
FA is an inherited, life-threatening, degenerative multisystem disease caused by variants in the frataxin gene that disrupt production of the frataxin protein, a mitochondrial iron-binding protein involved in essential cellular processes, including energy production. FA is known to cause progressive nervous system damage, movement problems, and cardiac dysfunction, with cardiac complications identified as the primary cause of death. FA impacts approximately 5,000 people in the United States and 15,000 in Europe. There are currently no treatments that provide a cure or halt disease progression.
About Solid Biosciences
Solid Biosciences is a precision genetic medicine company focused on advancing a portfolio of gene therapy candidates targeting rare neuromuscular and cardiac diseases, including SGT-003 for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne), SGT-212 for Friedreich's ataxia (FA), SGT-501 for catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), SGT-601 for TNNT2-mediated dilated cardiomyopathy and additional fatal, genetic neuromuscular and cardiac diseases. The Company is also focused on developing innovative libraries of genetic regulators and other enabling technologies with promising potential to significantly impact gene therapy delivery cross-industry. Solid is advancing its diverse pipeline and delivery platform in the pursuit of uniting experts in science, technology, disease management, and care. Patient-focused and founded by those directly impacted by Duchenne, Solid's mission is to improve the daily lives of patients living with devastating rare diseases. For more information, please visit www.solidbio.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding future expectations, plans and prospects for the company; strategies and expectations for the company's SGT-212 program; timing of planned data announcements for the FALCON trial; anticipated benefits of SGT-212; and other statements containing the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "would," "working" and similar expressions. Any forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the company's ability to advance SGT-003, SGT-212, SGT-501, SGT-601 and other preclinical programs, capsid libraries and other enabling technologies on the timelines expected or at all; obtain and maintain necessary approvals from the FDA and other regulatory authorities; replicate in clinical trials positive results found in preclinical studies and early-stage clinical trials of the company's product candidates; obtain, maintain or protect intellectual property rights related to its product candidates; enroll participants in ongoing trials; replicate preliminary or interim data from clinicals trials in the final data of such trials; compete successfully with other companies that are seeking to develop Duchenne, FA, CPVT and other neuromuscular and cardiac treatments and gene therapies; manage expenses; and raise the substantial additional capital needed, on the timeline necessary, to continue development of SGT-003, SGT-212, SGT-501, SGT-601 and other candidates, achieve its other business objectives and continue as a going concern. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause the company's actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the "Risk Factors" section, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties and other important factors, in the company's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the company's views as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing the company's views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. The company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the company's views to change. However, while the company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so.
Solid Biosciences Investor Contact:
Nicole Anderson
Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
Solid Biosciences Inc.
[email protected]
Media Contact:
Glenn Silver
FINN Partners
[email protected]
