Precision BioSciences Unveils New Phase 1 PBGENE-HBV Findings at AASLD The Liver Meeting®, Highlighting Safety, Tolerability, and Dose-Dependent Antiviral Effects in Initial Three Cohorts
PBGENE-HBV Overview: PBGENE-HBV is the first gene editing therapy targeting chronic Hepatitis B by eliminating HBV cccDNA and inactivating integrated HBV DNA, with promising results presented at the AASLD meeting on November 10, 2025.
Clinical Trial Results: The Phase 1 ELIMINATE-B study showed that PBGENE-HBV was well-tolerated across multiple doses, with all patients experiencing significant reductions in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and evidence of antiviral activity.
Biopsy Evidence: Paired liver biopsy data confirmed direct gene editing of HBV DNA in patients, marking a significant milestone in demonstrating the therapy's mechanism and potential for a functional cure.
Future Directions: Precision BioSciences plans to complete dosing in the current cohort and expand the study to evaluate optimized dosing regimens, aiming to establish a path toward stopping nucleos(t)ide analogs and testing for a cure.
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- Preclinical Study Findings: PBGENE-DMD demonstrates significant muscle pathology improvements in a humanized DMD mouse model, with reductions of approximately 50-65% in CK levels at 90 days post-treatment, indicating substantial muscle integrity improvements and potential long-term treatment hope for DMD patients.
- Functional Improvements: Treated mice maintain approximately 81%-84% of maximal force output and 89%-92% of tetanic force output over nine months, showcasing the durability and efficacy of the treatment, supporting its potential as a one-time therapy aimed at long-term muscle function enhancement.
- Satellite Cell Editing: PBGENE-DMD promotes the restoration of functional muscle proteins across key muscle groups, including cardiac and skeletal muscles, through the editing of muscle satellite stem cells, with levels of functional dystrophin protein increasing over time, potentially providing sustained functional improvements for DMD patients.
- Clinical Trial Preparations: Precision BioSciences is preparing to initiate the Phase 1/2 FUNCTION-DMD clinical trial, expected to enroll DMD patients aged 2-7, aiming to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of PBGENE-DMD, further validating its clinical application potential.
- Fast Track Designation: Precision BioSciences' investigational therapy PBGENE-DMD has received Fast Track designation from the FDA, aimed at accelerating the development of treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, addressing significant unmet medical needs in this area.
- Regulatory Milestone: CEO Michael Amoroso stated that this designation represents an important regulatory milestone for PBGENE-DMD, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatments for patients suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
- Clinical Advancement: The Fast Track designation, along with the recent IND clearance, is expected to propel PBGENE-DMD's clinical investigation in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Market Potential: With FDA support, PBGENE-DMD is poised to achieve positive outcomes in future clinical trials, providing a strong impetus for Precision BioSciences' growth in the rare disease sector.
- Fast Track Designation: Precision BioSciences' PBGENE-DMD has received FDA Fast Track designation, aimed at expediting the development and review of treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), highlighting the significant unmet medical need in this area.
- Clinical Study Plans: The company plans to host a virtual KOL event on March 17, 2026, to discuss PBGENE-DMD and its upcoming Phase 1/2 FUNCTION-DMD clinical study, which is expected to provide new treatment options for DMD patients.
- Technological Innovation: PBGENE-DMD utilizes a gene excision approach targeting mutations in exons 45-55, potentially offering durable functional muscle improvement for up to 60% of boys with DMD, showcasing its uniqueness and potential in the treatment landscape.
- Preclinical Research Results: In preclinical studies, PBGENE-DMD demonstrated significant functional improvements in a DMD mouse model, restoring function across cardiac, diaphragm, and various skeletal muscles, indicating its feasibility and efficacy for future clinical applications.
- Fast Track Designation: Precision BioSciences announced that its gene editing therapy PBGENE-DMD has received Fast Track designation from the FDA, aimed at expediting the development of treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), highlighting the significant unmet medical need in this condition.
- Clinical Study Plans: The company plans to host a virtual webinar on March 17, 2026, to discuss the clinical utility of PBGENE-DMD and the upcoming Phase 1/2 FUNCTION-DMD clinical study, which is expected to provide new treatment options for DMD patients.
- Therapeutic Innovation: PBGENE-DMD utilizes a unique gene excision approach targeting mutations in exons 45-55 affecting 60% of DMD patients, designed to permanently edit the dystrophin gene through a single AAV vector encoding two ARCUS proteins, thereby restoring the production of functional muscle protein.
- Preclinical Study Results: In preclinical studies, PBGENE-DMD demonstrated significant functional improvements by restoring near full-length functional dystrophin protein across various muscle types, indicating its potential efficacy and long-term durability in treating DMD.
- Clinical Trial Launch: The FDA's 'Study May Proceed' notification allows Precision BioSciences to initiate the FUNCTION-DMD Phase 1/2 clinical trial, aimed at evaluating the safety and efficacy of PBGENE-DMD in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), marking a significant advancement in the gene editing field.
- Gene Editing Innovation: PBGENE-DMD employs a gene excision approach designed to permanently correct the dystrophin gene in approximately 60% of DMD patients, restoring near full-length functional dystrophin protein, which is expected to significantly improve functional outcomes for patients and offer potential long-term therapeutic effects.
- Investor Event Arrangement: The company plans to host a virtual investor event in March following the Muscular Dystrophy Association meeting to discuss the PBGENE-DMD program and the FUNCTION-DMD clinical study, featuring participation from multiple key opinion leaders, thereby enhancing collaboration with patients and the medical community.
- Future Outlook: The first clinical trial site is expected to be activated in the first half of 2026, with initial data anticipated by the end of 2026; if supportive data is obtained, the company will engage with the FDA to align on the regulatory path forward, advancing treatment options for DMD.
- FDA Clinical Trial Approval: Precision BioSciences received a 'Study May Proceed' notification from the FDA, allowing the initiation of the FUNCTION-DMD Phase 1/2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PBGENE-DMD in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, marking a significant advancement in the gene editing field.
- Gene Editing Innovation: PBGENE-DMD utilizes a gene excision approach targeting mutations in exons 45-55 affecting 60% of DMD patients, aiming to restore near full-length functional dystrophin protein, which is expected to significantly improve muscle function and address existing treatment gaps.
- Clinical Trial Progress: The company plans to activate its first clinical trial site in the U.S. in the first half of 2026, with initial data expected by year-end 2026; if results are supportive, the company will engage with the FDA to discuss the regulatory pathway forward, demonstrating its commitment to accelerating treatment progress.
- Investor Event Arrangement: Precision plans to host a virtual investor event in March following the Muscular Dystrophy Association meeting to discuss the PBGENE-DMD program and the FUNCTION-DMD clinical study, featuring participation from key opinion leaders in the medical and patient advocacy communities, enhancing communication with stakeholders.










